Wat Doi Saket - |
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วัดพระธาตุดอยสะเก็ด |
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Address: |
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Known as: |
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Wat Phrathat Doi Saket |
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Description: |
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Doi Saket temple is very beautiful and enriched with amazing
decorating styles. The paintings on the walls of the Vihan, the
entrance to the temple, and the statues all truly reflect the
long, glorious and vibrating culture and history.
The
temple at Doi Saket is similar to the Doi Suthep Temple, yet
smaller in size. The entrance to the temple (as is the case at
Doi Suthep) has a steep set of stairs leading to the temple. The
most prominent feature of the Doi Saket Temple is the giant
golden sitting Buddha (Phra Buddha Pathimakorn), visible from
the road leading to the temple. The interior walls of the temple
are decorated with modern spiritual murals, painted by Khun
Chaiwat Wannanon. Normally modern art is not featured in
Buddhist temples in Thailand, so this is somewhat unique to Doi
Saket. There is also a monastic school located on the grounds of
the temple.
History : The temple at Doi Saket is said
to have been built in the year 1112. The legend is that the Lord
Buddha had come to Doi Saket for a short time, and was visited
by naka whom he offered his hair for the purpose of worship.
Shortly after he is said to have dissapeared, and this is the
reason for the location of the temple. Thai artist, “Khun
Chaiwat Wannanon” began painting the interior of the temple
walls with spiritual Buddhist murals in the early 1990s. It took
over 4 years for the murals to be completed. This is something
that is unique to the temple at Doi Saket. Most Buddhist temples
in Thailand do not have any modern art in a modern style.
How to get to Wat Phrathat Doi Saket :
Wat Phrathat
Doi Saket is located in the Doi Saket district, just outside the
city of Chiang Mai. Travelling to the temple by motorbike or car
will take approximately 30 minutes from the center of Chiang
Mai. Doi Saket is located on the road north to Chiang Rai
(Highway 118), just before the climb up the mountain on the
right hand side. The Doi Saket district is predominantly a rural
farming area, with plenty of rice fields in the valley as well
as orchards and other farming on the mountainsides. I have
attached a map to this article showing how to get there from
Chiang Mai. Just drive straight for about 15 km until you see
the sign to turn right for Doi Saket or you will see a large
seated Buddha image, called Phra Buddha Pathimakorn can be seen
from far. Keep following this road right through the middle of
the little town and you’ll see an intimidating Naga staircase
leading up to the temple. Other choices are more comfortable,
you can contact travel agency to provide a car with driver to
this temple or can combine program with Private tour Chiang Mai
to Chiang Rai.
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Province |
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Chiang Mai |
Direction: |
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District |
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Doi Saket |
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City |
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Choeng Doi |
Comments: |
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Official Web: |
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Genre |
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Temple |
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Best exposure |
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Rating |
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Opening time |
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na |
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Entry fee |
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Free |
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GPS : |
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18.87256 N |
99.139858 E |
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