CHIANG MAI, Thailand – The Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is considered the most famous temple here with thousands of tourists and Buddhist visiting daily.
It is located at the top of Doi Suthep mountain, 15 kilometers outside Chiang Mai.
MYSTICAL SERPENTS. The five heads of the mystical serpents called Naga are seen at the entrance of the staircase that leads to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. In Buddhist mythology, the Naga is an underwater creature in the form of a serpent.
SERPENT SCALES. The body of the mythical serpent is covered with gold and green scales and continues its way up to the slope.
TOURISTS. A couple takes photo with the young girls of a hilltribe donning their traditional clothes just below the 309 steps Naga stairs that lead to the temple.
HILLTRIBE GIRL. She is one of the little girls who is seen waiting below the stairs going to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Tourists who wish to take their picture with the girls are asked to give some coins.
A woman gathers tea leaves that grow just outside the entrance at the top of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.
SHOES OFF. Worshippers and visitors of the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep are asked to take off their shoes before entering the platform of the Golden Chedi.
SHOES OFF. Worshippers and visitors of the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep are asked to take off their shoes before entering the platform of the Golden Chedi.
STUPA PAGODA. The Stupa pagoda (Golden Chedi) of the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep glimmers in gold, its spire engraved with gold plates and stands 79 feet high. It is where worshippers and monks go to meditate.
WORSHIPPERS. Believers of Buddha pay respect to him by offering prayers inside the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.
WORSHIPPERS. Believers of Buddha pay respect to him by offering prayers inside the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.
A monk blesses the worshippers of the temple.
A woman offers her respect to Buddha by pouring hot oil to keep the light aflame. After pouring oil, the worshippers offer their prayers and drops coins inside the cart.
A couple offers money and prayer inside the temple.
WHITE ELEPHANT. This statue of the White Elephant can be seen outside the temple. According to a famous legend, the sacred white elephant took the original part of a magical relic to this mountain as a sign that this is where the new temple should be built.
BELLS. These bells can be found just outside the temple in front of the view of Chiang Mai City. In traditional Buddhist belief, those who hear the bells ringing will have good luck and long life.
A temple visitor gets her picture taken with the view of the whole Chiang Mai City at the top of the temple.
Locals also sell various delicacies to visitors of the temple.
