Mae Hong Son - Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
Photo Gallery of a temple Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu located at the 424-meter summit of Mt. Kong Mu in Mae Hong Son of Northern Thailand.
Mae Hong Son is about 300 km to the northwest from Chiang Mai, and it's close to the border between Thailand and Myanmar. It will take about 40 minutes from Chiang Mai by air (if my memory is correct. :D ).
Mae Hong Son is famous for Long Neck Tribe - Ban Nai Soi, the beautiful temples at the edge of a lake, Wat Chong Kham / What Chong Klang and so on, reported on a different page.
Check out the Mae Hong Son top page for other spots.
The temple Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, located at the 424-meter summit of Mt. Kong Mu in Mae Hong Son. The two big white chedis will welcome you.
The explanation in the temple says as follow:
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, Amphoe Muang. The oldest and most significant landmark of the province, it stands a top Kong Mu hill, and hence can be seen from anywhere in town. Formerly named "Wat Plai Doi", the temple has two Burmese-style Chedis (pagodas).
The larger Chedi was built in 1860 and contains the relics, brought from Burma, of Phra Moggalana, one of the chief disciples of the Lord Buddha. , by the builder named Chong Tong Su and Lek, his wife. The smaller one was erected in 1874 by the first governor of Mae Hong Son, Phraya Singhanat Raja.
The temple location offers a panorama view of the city and its surrounding. The temple's major annual ceremonies include New Year's Day, Songkran Festival and the End of Buddhist Lent Day (*1), in which a unique alms-giving ceremony is held.
- *1) The End of Buddhist Lent Day
Buddhist Lent or Phansa in Thai is the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada (Thai Buddhism) practitioners, usually from July to October.
In Thai, the starting day is called Wan Khao Phansa and the ending day is called Wan Awk Phansa (Wan: day, Khao: get in, Awk: get out).
- Two Burmese-style Chedis
- The building like a Japanese castle
- The main hall and the temple grounds
- The views from the temple
Another Buddhist statue is enshrined as well. | Decorations of the chedis. They maybe are lions or something , but I'm very curious about the human-shaped statue in the back. |
[Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu] The building like a Japanese castle |
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There is a building like a Japanese castle between the two chedis. The style is very unique. |
[Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu] The main hall and the temple grounds |
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After enjoying the amazing two white chedis, let's go around the temple grounds. |
A large main hall. From the shape of the roof, it's maybe in the Burmese-style. |
This is a donation for building a school by paying for bricks. Pay for a brick as a donation and write your name on it. |
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A Buddha image is enshrined. | Gift shops on the grounds of the temple. |
Gift shops on the grounds of the temple. | Puppets are sold. | Flowers on the grounds. You'll see this flower in Thailand often. |
[Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu] The views from the temple |
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The temple stands on the hill and you can overlook the Mae Hong Son city and around that. If it's a fine day, you'll see a great scenery. |
From the temple. Great view. | |||
Another view from the temple. The tree is a little bit mean, though. |
- If you are interested in Mae Hong Son, check out the Mae Hong Son top page for other spots !