Doi Suthep

During the week after graduation, I finally had some time to go to Doi Suthep.



Doi Suthep is a temple and a mountain. It is that mountain I have shown in previous pictures that dominates the skyline west of Chiang Mai (as well as to the north where Legacy is located). The road up the mountain is just one switchback after another, seemingly forever. Once you get to the “entrance” there are many stirs yet ahead. Like le Mont St Michelle or any number of Italian hilltop historic towns near the Mediterranean, the way up is lined with places hoping to separate you from your money.

Then there is the long staircase that leads to the temple.

The staircase is graced by snakes on each side.

Some type of creature at the entrance to one of the rooms at the temple. Mom?

These little signs are all over, to recognize those who have donated to the construction and upkeep of the temple. There are plaques all the way up and down the huge staircase as well.

Doi Suthep had more bells and Buddhas than I have ever seen anywhere. There were many bells in special enclosures all by themselves, and several racks like this one. If they could ever assemble enough people to ring all of them at the same time, there would be quite a ruckus.

Being so high above Chiang Mai, the temple is known for its wonderful view. Not today. This being near the end of the cool and dry season means that everyone has been burning leaves (to clean up) and wood (for heat) now for many weeks. There is a thick haze everywhere, every day. So, here is the view.

It seems that one of the most common sights in Thailand is the scaffolding around temple spires. They all seem to be under repair, or waiting for repair- from the little one in Mae Sa Lauang, where the school is located, to the granddaddy of them all at Doi Suthep. There is a relic under this structure, which explains some of the importance of this temple.

More Buddhas than I have ever seen anywhere.

Buddhas and murals abound.

There was a constant stream of people who would walk around the structure under the spire (where the relic is located. Many would hold flowers, and others would kneel at the sides and light candles.