Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai

Background
Phrathat Doi Suthep, the very ancient Phrathat Chedi, was built on Doi Suthep by King Kuena of the Mangrai Dynasty of Chiang Mai.  According to legend, holy Buddha relics in Phrathat Doi Suthep were brought from Sukhothai to Lanna by a monk named Sumanathera in 1371.  King Kuena built a chedi at Wat Suan Dak to keep some of the holy Buddha relics and he stored the rest at Phrathat Doi Suthep.  The current Phrathat Doi Suthep is believed to be the original chedi that was expanded in 1525 by King Mueangketklao of Chiang Mai.  Subsequently in 1538, the next king of Chiang Mai, Tnao Saikham, covered the chedi with “Thong Criangko”, brass sheets used to cover the structure and prevent corrosion.  Phrathat

Doi Suthep was built in a bell shape, which has been a popular chedi shape in Chiang Mai since the 21st  Century of the Buddhist Era.

Belief
People of Lonna believe that Phrathat Doi Suthep is the Phrathat of those who were born in the Chinese Year of the Goat.  If one worships Phrathat from all four cardinal directions, one will receive wisdom, love and mercy.  To seek blessing, people make offerings with popped rice, flowers. a candle and incense sticks, and then make three clockwise cumambulations around the chedi by foot while saying a prayer and making a wish.  The north side of Phrathat gives worshipers an impression that it is as bright as the full moon.  Those who pray to the south side wish to be ordained successfully.  Phrathat’s east side sends a worshipper to heaven, and worshiping its west side refers to the greatest worshiping.  However, to acquire wisdom and mercy, one needs to practice Sammaditthi, which means having the correct understanding.  Understanding of “the correct view” will inspire one to lead a virtuous life.

How to get there
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is located in Si Phum Sub-district, Mueang District, Chiang Mai.  Take Highway 1 from Bangkok followed by Highway 32 from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Ang Thong to Nakhon Sawan.  When reaching Nakhon Sawan, take Highway 1 to Kamphaeng Phet and Tak before reaching Lampang.  In Lampang, take Highway 11 past Lamphun to Chiang Mai.  From Mueang District of Chiang Mai, drive along Highway 1004 for about 14 kilometres.  Visitors can ride a Song Thaeo shuttle bus which parks on Huai Kaeo Road in front of Chiang Mai University to travel to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.  For further derails. please contact at “www.doisithep.com”