We had a short domestic flight to the north to our next destination – Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is a completely different world from Bangkok, so different that it was almost like being in another country. This is partially true, for Chiang Mai was the capital of a once prosperous self-ruling kingdom in the north, the Kingdom of Lanna, which was the powerbase of the northern territory and completely independent from the central Thai kingdoms.
Due to its proximity to Burma and Laos, it had been both culturally influenced and politically threatened by these two nations. Chiang Mai’s traditions, architecture, way of life, manner of clothing, and cuisine are fairly similar to their neighbors. However, they were forced to join the Siamese kingdom in 1775 after the Thai king helped drive away the Burmese invaders. Their loyalty, however, is to themselves, even if they were annexed to Siam. Nowadays, Chiang Mai is considered the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, and second in importance to Bangkok.
Our first stop was the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Buddhist temple on the summit of the Doi Suthep mountain overlooking the city. We climbed the 300-step, intricately-carved Naga Serpent Staircase all the way up (even though a funicular car was available), where we were greeted at the summit by the temple with the golden spire. This temple is surrounded by walls enclosing a complex of smaller shrines dedicated to several Buddhist deities, bell towers, rock gardens, and pavilions with red-tiled roofs. Murals depicting the past lives of Buddha decorate the walls. It also has a replica of Bangkok’s Emerald Buddha, but one of the most prized statues in the enclave is that of the White Elephant symbolizing the white elephant that carried Buddha’s relic to this mountain top where it is now enshrined.
There were hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims onsite and though we were not Buddhists, we lit joss sticks and offered prayers at one of the shrine altars. Since Doi Suthep is also an active monastery, monks were visible everywhere – meditating, praying, walking, and granting blessings. A couple of tour mates and I approached a monk in one of the shrines to ask for a Buddhist benediction. After chanting a short prayer and touching our foreheads, he doused (yes, doused…not just sprinkled) us with water from his jar. We bowed and thanked him solemnly but as soon as we stepped out, we burst out laughing. I joked that he must have scalded his hand upon touching us mischievous imps, and determined we were in need of a copious amount of evil antidote.
As if that cleansing was not enough to absolve us, our guide pointed out a series of bells along the eastern wall. He said that forgiveness will be bestowed and luck will come upon those who strike the bells one by one. And so we did.
Photo Credits:
bestpricetravel.com, traveltriangle.com, steemit.com
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