Phrathat Doi Kham Temple is the great place for worship and magnificent views

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Phrathat Doi Kham Temple getting more famous because of some person got what they asked for. If you need something but difficult to get it you can come to Phrathat Doi Kham and ask for it. If your ask come true you need to go back offer jasmine flower to the Temple this is about believe.

The Phrathat Doi Kham Temple is an attractive not much visited temple known for its 17 meters high Buddha image. It is a beautiful temple situated on a lush mountainside near Chiang Mai Town. ‘Phrathat’ refers to the fact that this temple houses relics of the Buddha, and ‘Doi Kham’ means ‘Golden Mountain’. Literally, the name means “Temple of the Golden Mountain“. The sacred temple was built more than 1300 years ago, in 687 A.D. It had been abandoned, but in 1966 villagers discovered a hidden chamber containing many ancient Buddha images of various sizes, and this find prompted revitalization.

The statue of Queen Jamathewee

Ubosot has classic Lanna style architecture

Phrathat Doi Kham Temple was built in the period of Queen Jamdevi of Lamphum by both of her twins sons in B.E. 1230 ( 687 A.D.). The pagoda contained with the Lord Buddha’s relics. In the old days, the temple was called ” Suwannabanpot Temple however the villagers like to call it ” Doi Kham”. According to the the temple history, it was the deserted temple with its broken treasure house such as Phra Rod Luang, the big ancient sandstone Buddha image covered with gold and Phra Sam Hom which made from clay.

All around the temple, you can see various images and shrines dedicated to Queen Chamadevi and other important figures in her life story, such as her two sons and the Ruesi, or ascetic hermit, who is said to have adopted the queen as a child. According to legend, the hermit found the young princess sitting on a giant lotus flower. He raised her, and she married one of the princes of the Mon capital city Lopburi in Central Thailand. The king then sent her up north on a mission to establish a new city and sister kingdom for the Mon people.

Attractions in Phrathat Doi Kham Temple :

Big sitting Buddha image

When you get up to the temple parking area, the first thing you’ll notice is the gigantic seated Buddha statue. At 17 meters tall, it’s the largest seated Buddha in Chiang Mai. It’s also larger than a number of other famous giant Buddha images, such as those at Kamakura and Nara in Japan. The Buddha has characteristic Lanna features typical of Buddha images from Northern Thailand, such as a round face and lotus bud shaped crown protrusion.

Pagoda

The oldest structure of the Wat Phrathat Doi Kham temple is the pagoda (Chedi), that was constructed in the year 687. It shares many characteristics with the chedi of the better known Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, that is found a little more to the North.

Huge golden colored Naga serpents guard the stairs on both sides of the pagoda that is enclosed by a gate. The chedi enshrines a sacred relic of the Buddha. A local legend tells about two giants who lived in the Doi Kham area thousands of years ago and who were said to be cannibals. When the Buddha visited the area he convinced the giants to give up cannibalism and convert to Buddhism. The Buddha gave them a relic of his hair, that is now enshrined in the temple’s chedi.

When the pagoda collapsed in 1966 after heavy rain, local people discovered a number of Buddha images inside the damaged structure. Funds were then raised and the pagoda restored.

Rakshasa

There is an interesting folktale about Lord Buddha visiting this temple and meeting a rakshasa (demon) family who tried to eat him. Lord Buddha conquered them by sending them his kindness, which they could not stand. The rakshasa family eventually converted, revering our Lord Buddha, and also gave up consuming human flesh.

Luang Por Tun Jai

Lung Por Tun Jai who is believed to be able to fulfill any wishes one makes abruptly.

In the temple itself, there is also ” Luang Por Tun Jai”, the Buddha image of success which people love to visit the temple to worship and make a wish. If the wish comes true in 3 months, you must return to fulfill your promise with the flower offerings the jasmine garlands at least 50 to worship and showing their gratitude to the Buddha image which you could see all jasmine garlands pile up on the table in front of the small chapel where the Buddha image places inside.

Pray to “Luang Por Tan Jai”. You need to speak only one wish you really want, your Name and Surname, how many jasmine garlands you will worship him after your wish become true.

It amazing with number of jasmine garlands people offer to Luang Po Tun Jai. Many peoples from all around the country and other country praying for fortune. Thousand of Jasmine flower displace there. You can try if you have the need.

Temple grounds

The Doi Kham Temple grounds include a large terrace that gives a vantage point out over fields and towards the city below. You can also find the Hindu gods Vishnu and Ganesha hanging out on the viewing platform and enjoying the scenery. You can see both the city and the rolling mountains at the back of Doi Pui Mountain and great views of the surrounding area including nearby Royal Flora Ratchaphruek.

How to get to Phrathat Doi Kham Temple :

The Wat Phrathat Doi Kham temple is located on top of a mountain South West of Chiang Mai city in Mae Hia sub district almost 10 kilometers from the town center. It is just North of Royal Flora Ratchaphruek.

Stairs carved in the form of white nagas (mythical water serpents) lead to a calm and quiet lookout point which offers a panoramic view of Chiang Mai. Visitors may revel in the crisp fresh air and marvel at the picturesque splendour of the valley spread out before them. Once at the bottom of the steps to the temple, brace yourself as the steps get a little steeper and wider. The walk up is worth it as the spiritual feeling you get as you walk through the doors is amazing. Make sure that you take your shoes off and walking around the temple barefoot as a sign of respect and to keep the temple dirt free.

If you do not want to climb stairs, you can also take an existing cable car or drive to the parking lot near the Buddhist temple.

Operating day : Open daily from 08.00 until 17:00

There is a park fee : Foreigners pay 30 Baht entrance fee and make sure to cover your shoulders and knees otherwise you will be asked to rent a scarf to cover up in respect of the temple and monks.

Address : 108 Moo 3, Tambon Mae Hia, Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

Note : Wheelchair user is accessible

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