I posted yesterday about the Intakin Festival we had the chance to attend during our trip to Chiang Mai in May. Wat Chedi Luang is the temple where the festival took place, and it is where the city pillar is stored. It is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai, and it is beautiful.
The temple was decorated for the festival, and very crowded with worshipers, so moving around admiring the grounds was a little harder, and also taking photos was harder and it was dark. I really wished to go back after the festival was over, but we did not have the chance to.
The standing Buddha in the main prayer hall is giant, and very impressive.
Wat Chedi Luang gets its name(which translates to royal pagoda) from the very large and beautiful chedi(pagoda) that adorns its grounds. The chedi was once of the largest structure in Chiang Mai, standing at 295 feet high. Unfortunately, it was mostly destroyed during an earthquake in 1545. The chedi today is 198 feet, and despite the ruins, it is still very magnificent,with elephant carvings at one side of the pagoda.
There is also an open shed housing great Buddha images, including a beautiful reclining Buddha.
We really enjoyed visiting Wat Chedi Luang, I highly recommend it for visitors.
Comments (7)
Hi Candi, wow your photos are really beautiful. I don't blame you for wanting to go back for a second look. I think the reclining Buddha is very beautiful. All of your photos are really wonderful and its great to see all the things that you saw while there.
Thank you so much for continuing to share your photos and experiences.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 18, 2009 6:02 AM
Posted on June 18, 2009 06:02
All of the gold reminds me of the mosaics in Basilica San Marco; I guess gold is a universal holy color.
I love the reclining Buddha too; the one is red makes me smile for some reason (he looks like a sumo wrestler!).
Wonderful photos and post!
Posted by Annie | June 18, 2009 8:35 AM
Posted on June 18, 2009 08:35
The photos are stunning! Did you notice all the orbs in the third photo? I can almost see a constellation. Makes the chedi look so heavenly and magical.
I too find the red Buddha quite interesting and the image of the reclining Buddha is beautiful.
Posted by María I. | June 18, 2009 12:47 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 12:47
Kathy, I am glad you like the photos, I was hesitant about them since it was dark.
Annie, I think the red Buddha is called the Happy Buddha, he is funny looking, I like him.
Maria, I know, there are so many orbs in these photos, especially the chedi one. It does make it look magical.
Posted by candi | June 18, 2009 1:35 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 13:35
Great entry, Candi. What a gorgeous temple! The reclining Buddha is so peaceful looking. Dare I confess that on first glance, I thought the Happy Buddha was sticking out his tongue?!
Posted by Anne | June 20, 2009 5:23 AM
Posted on June 20, 2009 05:23
Anne, I had to look at the photo again, LOL, I guess at a glance it does looks like it is sticking its tongue out:)
Posted by candi | June 20, 2009 1:15 PM
Posted on June 20, 2009 13:15
So much gold! And look at all those orbs!! Makes you wonder...
Posted by girasoli | August 24, 2009 1:31 AM
Posted on August 24, 2009 01:31