Wat Maor Kam Dtuang-Sri Poom, Chiang Mai

 Wat Maor Kam Dtuang  No Responses »
Dec 222008
 

shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather whiplash girlchild in the dark comes in bells, your servant, don't forsake him strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart downy sins of streetlight fancies chase the costumes she shall wear ermine furs adorn the imperious severin, severin awaits you there i am tired, i am weary i could sleep for a thousand years a thousand dreams that would awake me different colors made of tears‘Shiny shiny,  shiny boots of  leather…’ , woops , distant memories of a mispent youth with the sounds of The Velvet Underground ringing in my ears; can’t help getting that song in my head everytime I pass this Wat.

Yet another Wat located along Sri Poom, the top moat road , on the outside of the Old City, Chiang Mai;

Wat Maor Kam Dtuang is easy to locate, just look out for the shimmering shiney walls that mark its border with the pathway.kiss the boot of shiny, shiny leather shiny leather in the dark tongue of thongs, the belt that does await you strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart severin, severin, speak so slightly severin, down on your bended knee<br /> taste the whip, in love not given lightly taste the whip, now plead for me i am tired, i am weary i could sleep for a thousand years a thousand dreams that would awake me different colors made of tears<br /> shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather whiplash girlchild in the dark<br /> severin, your servant comes in bells, please don't forsake him strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart

Within the medium sized compound you will find the Wat itself, a beautifully decorated Vihara and some quite extensive ‘activity’ buildings.

Another unique feature is the quite original statue depicting Pa Ya Nak. pa-ya-nak

For more photos visit our photobucket album here.

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Wat Kuan Kaa Maa-Brick Road Temple Tour Chiang Mai

 Wat Kuan Kaa Maa  No Responses »
Dec 182008
 

John needs a mapThis old Lanna style Temple lies on Sri Poom, the northern moat road, at the top of the Old City , to the western side, before you reach the Morntean temple.

As yet I have gathered no history but I suspect that there will be something in connection with horses if the Temples name and entrance statues are anything to go by.

John needs a mapAs well as the small Wat there are 2 Viharas.

You can enjoy Thai massage here in one of the side buildings for 120 baht an hour.

The notable feature here is the row of gold coloured statues of the Chinese zodiac animals.John needs a map

That’s me, Rabbit.

To see more photos, visit our photobucket album here.

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Wat Bpaa Phrao Nai, Arak Soi 3, Old City Chiang Mai

 Wat Bpaa Phrao Nai  No Responses »
Dec 122008
 

Tucked away down Arak Soi 3, this Temple can be reached, either from Arak, (the west side moat road), or from Singharat, or indeed by walking through Wat Dap Pai on Singharat.

The Wat sits in a wide, open compound, and its outstanding feature, for me, is that the outside walls and pillars of the Wat are covered in tiny mirror tiles.

It would be interesting to pop round on a full moon night and see whether those mirror tiles have the same effect as is supposed to happen with The White Temple in Chiang rai.

As you enter the compound there is a bell tower just inside to the right.

The coffee coloured paintwork contrasts well against the shiny mirror finish, and there are more impressive examples of Temple art at the entrance.

Don’t miss the beautiful Vihara, hidden from open view, down in the back right hand corner of the Temple grounds.

Also behind the Wat is a medium sized, golden round style Chedi.

There are impressive looking Monks living quarters, the stairs guarded by ferocious looking wooden Tigers, and a not so ferocious looking Temple dog.

To the left of the entrance to the grounds is a quite extensive ‘activities’ building, that is equally impressive to look at.

For more photos visit our photobucket album here.

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Wat Dap Pai, Singharat, Old City, Chiang Mai..Brick Road Temple Tour

 Wat Dap Pai  No Responses »
Dec 112008
 

Located towards the northern end of Singharat road, this Wat is about 15 mins walk from the cafe and well worth it if beauty is what you like. Check out the Lanna style Vihara at the rear of the compound, not easily seen from the road or front of the Temple grounds.
The main temple itself has some stunning art work, both inside and out.

The front door way fit for any Royal Palace. the care and upkeep of many of the Temple grounds varies a lot throughout Chiang Mai.

Here you will see some nice touches around the place, like the pleasant little water garden just inside the front gate.
The Vihara next to the Temple has a very interesting 7 step roof design.

Behind the Temple is a medium sized Chedi under reconstruction at this present time.

I never cease to marvel at the bamboo scaffold favoured by local artisans.

There appears to be a third Vihara under construction at the very rear of the Temple grounds next to the gloriously decorated one pictured here.

The rear gateway opens onto Arak Soi 3 and it is the just a short walk over to Wat Bpaa Prao Nai.

For many more photos please visit our photobucket album here.

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Wat Mornthean–Sri Poom, Chiang Mai

 Mornthean Temple  No Responses »
Dec 102008
 

This stunningly plush Temple sits on the western end of Sri Poom Rd, the Northern side of the Old City.

Its another one I shall have to do more investigation on to discover its history, but for now I will let the photos do their work and recommend a visit.

Points of most interest for me were the Sitting Buddha, which is the plainest part of the architecture here, being of plain grey concrete.

It seems to hold even more of a presence than many of the more lavishly painted or gilded Buddhas you will see around Chiang Mai.

This is possibly to do with the contrast with the extremely plush and intricate decoration of the temple itself, both inside and out. Worth special note is the use of the coloured glass in much of the decor.

A rather grand new building is under construction right now,(December 2008), to the rear of the Temple grounds.

for more photos visit or photobucket album here.

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Brick Road Temple Tour…Wat Tung Yuu

 Wat Tung Yuu  No Responses »
Nov 272008
 

Leaving the guest house and turning left, walk straight ahead past Wat Chai Prakiat to the next crossroads and this Wat is on the right hand side of the road, opposite the main Police Station.

The front of the Temple faces a gateway onto Ratchadamnoen Soi 7.

At this point in time there appears to be a major push to renovate many of the Temples in Chiang Mai and maybe this one is on the list somewhere.

Right now the Temple grounds show signs of mild neglect, but I did spot paint and building materials that suggest that may soon change.

As with previous examples there is a beautiful Vihan next to the Temple and a large white Chedi behind it. The Chedi is topped in the Lan Na mosaic style.

To the rear of the walled compound is quite an impressive looking Monks residence.

This is another on on my list for more research and this page will be updated as soon as I get further information.

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Brick Road Temple Tour…Wat Umong Mahatherachan

 Wat Umong Mahaterachan  No Responses »
Nov 222008
 

Wat Umong Mahatherachan sits on Ratchpakinai Rd, turning right out of the cafe you walk straight ahead past the traffic lights and on to the next crossroads where you turn left into Ratchapakhinai Rd.
Alternatively, if you have visited Wat Duang Dee, then it is a short walk to the rear entrance to Wat Umong. Just turn around from the front entrance to Wat Duang Dee.


The grounds have a wonderfully quiet and relaxing feel with a variety of trees, the only things I found labeled in English. This one is a Jack Fruit.

There is a medium sized stone Chedi, with a gilded top, and a small Vihan guarded by two impressive Golden Lions.

Behind the Vihan is an enclosed garden area with a shrine, looked like a perfect meditation spot, surrounded by trees, quiet and cosy.

Walking round to the front of the Temple there are some other Engish signs, but despite one pointing to the information board, there is no English language information.
Inside this small temple you are greeted with a perfect example of the tradition for exquisite art inside the Temples. It was soon clear why this Temple is treasured as  meditation haven by those who find it.

Unfortunately I have as yet failed to find any history on this temple but hope to return soon and chat with the Monks there and will update this post when the information is at hand.

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Wat Duang Dee…

 Wat Duang Dee  No Responses »
Nov 212008
 

So, either walking north from Wat Phan Tao, or right out of the cafe and left at the traffic lights, up Phra Pokklao Rd, look out for the sign on your left and take the small Soi on the right into Wat Duang Dee.

Maybe you’d like to stop and buy refreshments from the Thai shop opposite the sign, very friendly people, look out for the colourful windmills. And stroll in to the lovely grounds of this recently restored and historic Temple. The renovation is almost finished and the landscaping that has gone with it makes for a very pleasent visit, though the sand used at the front tends to get in between your toes.

Another very small compound means this visit could take a very short time, although the Monks here will always be happy to sit and answer questions, so it will be as long as you choose.

There is a beautiful , smaller temple building to the left of the front of the main Wat and a Scripture repository that appears to still have its original teak wood doors.                  
From the front of the Temple you will see the back gate to Wat Umong Mahatherachan.

For a brief history of Wat Duang Dee, please go here.

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Wat Duang Dee, …history

 Wat Duang Dee  No Responses »
Nov 212008
 

Wat Duang Dee dates back over 200 years. In 1761 the Chiang Mai Chronicle reported that a Monk from Wat Duang Dee became ruler of Chiang Mai at a time when it  held its Independence  for a short time before the Burmese returned to govern.

In 1819, the second ruling Prince of Chiang Mai, King Thammalangka had the Wat renovated and held a dedication ceremony.

Within its scripture hall there are, by all accounts beautiful gilded wood carvings.

For more information on this Temples history and that of other architectural treasures of Thailand go here

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