Sunday 29 December 2024
Visiting temples north of the old city of Chiang Mai

Wat Ku Tao

Wat Ku Tao is a Burmese temple north of the Chiang Mai old city. The temple, which supports the Shan community, was built in 1613 to enshrine the ashes of Nawrahta Minsaw, a Burmese prince who successfully invaded the Kingdom of Lanna and reigned as King from 1579 to 1608.

The temple is very colorful in a different way than typical Lanna-styled temples. This is seen before entering with the colorful Singha lion-like creatures on the wall guarding the entrance.

I wandered around the temple grounds. Many people were there preparing for an event of some kind. The viharn (assembly hall) is very large and in two stories. The lower floor seem to be meeting rooms or something similar, while the upper floor is the viharn. At the side of the viharn are carved and colorful thewada (angels) on the doors.

The rear of the viharn first floor is also colorful.

Through the garden foliage is the ubosot (ordination hall) currently under renovation.

Walking by the viharn, the large two-story structure is seen.

The stairway to the second floor, the actual worship or assembly hall is guarded by Naga, similar to Lanna-styled temples, as well as colorful art on the wall.

Wat Ku Tao is an interesting temple in Chiang Mai with different and colorful artistry. There were many people and no foreigners, so I left to make my way westward to visit Wat Santitam before heading back to the old city.

Next: Wat Santitham