Ku Tao Temple : water melon chedi
Ku Tao Temple is one of the most well known temples as well as one of the most visited temples in the whole of Thailand.
Ku Tao Temple is located in Chang phuok sub – direct, muang distric, Chiangmai province in an area just to the north and outside of the city of Chiang Mai near the Chiang Mai Stadium.
Ku Tao Temple is a highly unusual chedi thought to have been built in 1613 to hold the ashes of Prince Saravadi (1578-1607), the first Burmese overlord of Chiang Mai.
The temple is called ku tao because of its characteristic water melon (which is tao in the northern dialect) shaped chedi. The name, Ku Tao, derives from the northern Thai word ‘tao’, meaning melon. The unique design of the pagoda is probably derived from prototypes in Yunnan Province, China, which were introduced to Thailand from traders and migrants hailing from that area. The name of this temple was mentioned in a document written curing the reign of king phaya yod chiangrai. In 1492. the cocument states that: after the prince suriyawong, the son of phraya wh ruled the area to the south of the city of chiangmai. Had been ordinated. He was invited to stay in wat wearuwan ku yao. Chiangmai.
The series of five diminishing spheres comprising the body of the pagoda represents the five Buddhas of the present age. Ku Tao Temple is also known as wayruwanaram vihan. Which suggests that the vihan is located in a forest of bamboo.
The structure
The chedi is of the dependent upon a square establishment encompassed by a roundabout five-layered relic load. On each of the four sides house a picture of a Buddha in the Burmese style. On top of this is a little adjust chime formed characteristic with a tower.
The chedi is beautified with little flawlessly set bits of glass.This is particularly evident on the columns of the niches which are decorated with a western style circular pattern. This influenced diffused into the lanna area from the burmes workporce of the british timber exporters.The segments confining the Buddhas are enlivened with a western style design that is all the more adjusted or roundabout.
The Western style found on sections hail from the historical backdrop of the locale with the British. Structural planning structure the British lumber exporters is said to have affected the Lanna Kingdom from the Burmese workforce of the British timber exporters.
This chedi has been dated to the early 1500’s and is thought to have been restored no less than one time, throughout the rule of King Rama V.
A major attractions in Ku Tao Temple
It is imperative for a uniquely structured watermelon molded pagoda, in this manner gaining such name by the locals. A definite time of its foundation is to some degree obscure, yet from a legend, the Ku Tao chedi holds fiery debris of Prince Saravadee, the child of King Bureng Nong who ruled over Chiang Mai between the period of 1579 till the year 1607.
Architectures, inner part embellishments and Buddha pictures honored here show a solid impact of Burmese expressions. In the event that you are visiting this beautiful temple in the late March you will get to see a novel Burmese style appointment celebration. This is known to the people as the Poi Sang Long, and includes fun and amusing exercises.
All this combined together forms a brilliant attractive spot to visit. The Ku Tao Temple alone attracts a huge herd of tourists every year to the country.
At the present there is a chedi situated on a square base surmounted by a circular five-tiered relic chamber. On each of the four sides of the relic chamber there is a niche used to house a burmese buddha image on top of this is a small round bell shaped feature with a spire
Wat Ku Tao lies in a quiet compound containing several large trees. The main feature is the unusual chedi, which is shaped like a series of begging bowls stacked on top of each other. The origin of the chedi is a mystery.
Note :Â Wheelchair user is accessible
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