The Guardian Temple Of Chiang Mai

Perched atop Doi Pui, this is one of Thailand�s most revered temples. Thais from near and far come to pay homage to the many beautiful statues of Lord Buddha at the site of this chedi, discovers Farzana Contractor

It was almost dusk by the time I reached Wat Prathat Doi Suithep perched atop the eastern face of the Doi Pui at about 4,000 feet. Much as I would have liked to climb up the 306 steps bordered by a long winding Naga balustrade, I didn�t. I needed to see the temple in natural light, hence took the two minute ride up in the cable car.

Wat Prathat Doi Suithep or just Doi Suithep as it is generally known, is one of Thailand�s most revered temples. As you step out on the open terrace courtyard, you first see a beautiful statue under a tree. You remove your shoes at this point and climb up a short flight of steps to the main courtyard. Right in the line of your vision is the beautiful temple with the gilded chedi in the middle of the marbled courtyard. The chedi is surrounded with golden filigreed umbrellas, crafted most asthetically.

There are many visitors around, both locals and tourists. The tourists in complete awe are clicking away pictures of rows of bells and gongs and Buddha statues while the Thai pilgrims, clutching at the incense sticks and lotus buds they have brought as an offering to the Buddha, stop at different altars, praying. There are many different statues of the Buddha in little cloisters at this temple and each is more beautiful than the other. The Thais go to each of them and bow, deep and low. Some of the devotees then go around the chedi in clockwise direction, three rounds in all, this brings good luck, I am told.

The chedi itself is fenced off and four ornately decorated five-tiered, traditional, symbolic Thai umbrellas stand at each corner.

Doi Suithep has an interesting historical tale. It is said this temple, like a guardian angel has kept an eye on Chiang Mai for more than half a millennium. A temple was first established here in 1383, but the choice of the site came through in 1371, supposedly through divine direction. According to a legend a relic of the Lord Buddha arrived in a relatively new settlement in Chiang Mai to be enshrined in the newly built Wat Suan Dok. But the relic split into two and the second piece was placed on the back of an elephant which apparently headed for Doi Suithep. After wandering around for three days, the elephant came upon the site of the present day temple and promptly died. Today the relic is supposed to be buried under the 16 meter �chedi�, that forms the center of the complex.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY FARZANA CONTRACTOR