January 13, 2016

Wat Srisupan

After mid-morning yoga at Wild Rose this morning, Tom (my friend from Australia whom I met at Wild Rose) and I decided to walk down to Wat Srisuphan, known as the Silver Temple.Tom had not been there, but is staying very close by. I did not have my camera, but have many pictures from past visits to Wat Srisuphan.

Wat Srisuphan is a temple directly south of the old city, about a half kilometer south and west of Chiang Mai Gate, the eastern-most of the two gates on the south of the wall.  Located in the silver-making district on Wualai Road, this temple was originally built in 1501, and has been redesigned and reconstructed a number of times since. In 2004, the abbot (head monk) started the most recent reincarnation of the temple, utilizing the skills of the local silversmiths, partly to preserve the craft. The ubosot (ordination hall) is being covered in hammered silver-metal, of which most is a zinc and aluminum alloy with silver alloy reserved for holy statues and icons. The result is a stunning structure, shimmering in the sunlight.

Since my visit here a year ago, much more of the renovation has been completed. The main viharn (worship hall) appears much cleaner. The progress of covering the ubosot in the hammered metal has progressed quite noticeably.

The main viharn (worship hall) is cleaned up and looks much brighter than in past years. This is a good shot of the entrance with the yak (giant or guardian) sentries guarding the entrance and the naga banisters.

This viharn opens to the north, unlike almost all other viharn that open to the east to greet the rising sun. I have found no explanation. Many Thai people have told me that all viharn open to the east, but I know of a very few exceptions. There must be a story or a reason. the search continues.

The chedi in back of the viharn is covered in construction netting this year as if undergoing a cleaning or restoration. In this photograph, the dirt is evident, as are some trees or bushes growing from the top half. I can only guess that the work underway will clean and restore the chedi.

A side view of the ubosot (ordination hall) being covered in the hammered aluminum-zinc-silver alloy panels. It appears that all of it is being covered, the roof, the adornments on the roof, the sides, everything. And the progress is substantial from last year to now.

A photo of the entrance-way. All hammered aluminum-zinc-silver alloy. Quite stunning.

After Wat Srisuphan, Tom headed for his home in Chiang Mai, and I set out to walk most of the way around the wall/moat finally arriving back at 3-Sis for a shower, fresh clothes, and a bit of a rest. This was a good 11,000 step day.

Kanjana for Dinner

I headed to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner, Kanjana, I had a not-that-unusual dish, stir-fry sweet & sour chicken. Kanjana has the best pumpkin curry (roasted pumpkin in a red curry), and they also make a really good stir-fry morning glory stems in oyster sauce with garlic.

Tonight, I’m not living on the edge so much, so more familiar dish fit my mood well.

Next: Wat Buppharam and Street Pizza (again)