So I had the pleasure of going to one of the most saught after tourist destinations in Thailand, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Perched high up on a mountain, in order to reach is you must climb the Dragon Stairs (309 flights) or in my case, since I had a sprained ankle, you can take an electrical cart.
The original founding of the temple remains a legend and there are a few varied versions. The temple is said to have been founded in 1383 when the first stupa was built. Over time, the temple has expanded, and been made to look more extravagant with many more holy shrines added. A road to the temple was first built in 1935.
Within the site there are beautiful trees, pagodas, shrines and museums. Proper attire must be worn at all times. We were lucky enough to catch a school of Monks that were nice enought to take a picture for us. What an experience!
Here are some pics of the beautiful shrines located inside some of the temples. We actually got blessed by monks with holy water in these temples which was awesome.
Here are some of the Teak Wood carvins that were found throughout the site. And yes the entire Temple was made of Teak Wood.
Here is a beautiful view from the site
This is the White Elephant Shrine
According to legend, a monk named Sumanathera from the Sukhothai Kingdom had a dream. In this vision he was told to go to Pang Cha and look for a relic. Sumanathera ventured to Pang Cha and found a bone. Many claim it was Gautama Buddha's shoulder bone. The relic displayed magical powers: it glowed, it was able to vanish, it could move and replicate itself. Sumanathera took the relic to King Dhammaraja, who ruled Sukhothai. The eager Dhammaraja made offerings and hosted a ceremony when Sumanathera arrived. However, the relic displayed no abnormal characteristics, and the king, doubtful of the relic's authenticity, told Sumanathera to keep it.
King Nu Naone of Lan Na heard of the relic and bade the monk to bring it to him. In 1368, with Dharmmaraja's permission, Sumanathera took the relic to what is now Lamphun, in northern Thailand. Once there, the relic broke into two pieces. The smaller piece was enshrined at a temple in Suandok. The other piece was placed by the king on the back of a white elephant which was released into the jungle. The elephant is said to have climbed up Doi Suthep, at that time called Doi Aoy Chang (Sugar Elephant Mountain), stopped, trumpeted three times, then dropped dead. This was interpreted as an omen. King Nu Naone immediately ordered the construction of a temple at the site.
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