Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Buddhist temple on Doi Suthep Mountain, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a Buddhist sanctuary on Doi Suthep Mountain near Chiang Mai, Thailand. The complex includes a gilded stupa at the center, surrounded by smaller shrines, pavilions, and ceremonial buildings at an elevation above 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet).
The sanctuary was founded in the late 14th century under King Keu Naone of the Lanna Kingdom to enshrine a sacred relic. Over the following centuries, the complex was expanded and restored several times, with the golden spire being renewed over the years.
The name comes from the mountain where the sanctuary stands, while the golden structure at the center forms the focus of daily prayers and offerings. Monks and worshippers gather here regularly to recite religious texts and light candles before the altars.
The sanctuary is reached via a winding road from Chiang Mai, followed by a staircase of over 300 steps or a funicular to the entrance. The complex sits on a mountain, so it can be cooler than the city, and watch for slippery steps during rain.
In one of the courtyards stands a replica of the famous Emerald Buddha, often overlooked by visitors. There is also a Ganesh statue here, showing that Hindu elements have flowed into Buddhist worship.
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