Last Updated on April 24, 2014 by Nancie
Welcome to the 173rd week of Travel Photo Thursday. The semester is half over, and this week I am preparing my 200+ students for their midterm exams next week. I have no idea where the weeks have gone, and I am sure that the rest of the semester will pass in the same whirlwind fashion. This week I’m bringing you back to Chiang Mai and a sampling of the many photos I have taken in and around the city’s numerous Buddhist temples. Did you know that Chiang Mai boasts more than 300 temples?
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A statue at the base of the stupa at Wat Lok Molee. The white strings you see are used in numerous ceremonies such as holiday prayers and house blessings. The belief is that the strings transfer the blessings to each of the participants. After the ceremony they will be cut into small pieces, and attached to visitors wrists to bring good luck.
Buddhist blessing string waiting to be hung…
Buddhist water libation vessels used in blessings…
Monk bowls at Wat Phan Tao…
Monks praying at Wat Chedi Luang on ordination day…
Temple bell at Wat Phan Tao…
Lighting the candles on Macha Bukha Day at Wat Phan Tao…
Macha Bukha Day celebrates the day when 1,250 monks spontaneously came together to pay homage to the historical Buddha.
Preparing to honor the Buddha on Macha Bukha Day at Wat Phan Tao…
Travelers Tip
The monks are very welcoming, and entrance to all of Chiang Mai’s temples is free. However, you will come across numerous donation boxes throughout the temple complexes. To give or not to give is your choice. Temples are usually open from sunrise. Many close at 6pm. However, some of the bigger temples, like Wat Chedi Luang, usually stay open into the evening. Do dress appropriately. Women should cover their shoulders and knees. Men must wear shirts. Shoes must be removed before entering.
The date of Macha Bucha day is based on the lunar calendar, usually in January or February. If you want to experience this celebration, be sure to check the date well in advance.
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This is the 173rd edition of Travel Photo Thursday. You can browse the archives here.
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50 responses to “Travel Photo Thursday — Apr. 17/14 — Chiang Mai’s Buddhist Culture”
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The Bell, The Bowls, The Candle lighting. Such peaceful images. The Buddhist Religion is so appealing. Love photographs Nancie.
Hi Jan! I never tire of visiting the temples in Thailand, or anywhere else. I love wandering through with my camera.
Your photos are lovely. Buddhist monks are so photogenic and you’ve taken some really beautiful shots. I particularly like the ones with candles in them and the close up of the alms bowls.
Hi Phoebe! There were so many photo ops on Macha Bukha day.
Lovely photos! Very interesting custom those blessing strings…
hi! I love the string blessings. I usually get blessed at least once while I’m in Chiang Mai. That little piece of string around my wrist makes me feel safe. 🙂
Hi Nancie, thanks for taking us to back to Chiang Mai. I knew it has many temples but didn’t realized it was that many, I like getting those blessing strings when I visit the temples. You captured beautiful temple details but my most favorite is the last shot. It’s looks so magical.I couldn’t take my eyes of it I’d love to experience this celebration someday.
Hi Marisol! The blessing strings are wonderful. This is a lovely ceremony to experience. It lasts from early morning to late at night. After the evening ceremony the temples become very festive, and it’s a big party.
We are so hoping to visit Thailand later this year, as I have said before.
These photos are stunning!!
Hi Jackie,
I hope you make it. Do come back and have a look through the blog. I post lots on Thailand.
I love your images – especially the monks lighting the candles and the candles floating on the water. So atmospheric. Thank you for taking us along. Wishing you blessings over the Easter season.
Hi Jill! Thank you and I hope you had a wonderful Easter. 🙂
over 200 students?! Did you ever go crazy?! What do you think: are Asian kids better behaved than American kids? Although I was just thinking about Puerto Rican students… That would be a riot of a classroom lol lol 🙂
anyway: back to your beautiful photos! I just came back from celebrating Songkran at Tampa’s Thai Temple and it was my very first time visiting one. I absolutely loved it: from the All-Stars to the grounds to the architecture. Just so so beautiful! I know I would go crazy in Thailand 🙂 in fact, I thought you were going to talk about Songkran Festival as well for a second!
-Maria Alexandra
Hi Maria,
I went crazy a long time ago! I never taught school in Canada, so I really can’t comment on the differences between students. I think both have their challenges.
I have never been in Thailand during Songkran because it’s right in the middle of my semester. One of these years it will happen!
I like that you focus on the little details in some of the photos. I’ve seen the libation vessels and the monk bowls before, but I can’t remember if I noticed the string. That last photo is my absolute favorite of the set. Today, I visited Penang’s Thai temple for the 2nd time this week. On Sunday, I went armed with a water blaster for Songkran. Today’s trip was accompanying the 3rd grade (just 35 students, nothing like your 200). I did remember today to go with my knees and shoulders covered. Later, I went to the mall and saw a monk walking around near all the high end stores.
Hi Michele,
I didn’t realize that Penang had a Thai temple. Is that the one out by the tram to go up Penang Hill?
I hope your 3rd graders had fun!
Monks and how they behave is definitely changing. It used to be that I couldn’t carry money, but that seems to have changed in recent years.
Nancie, what a beautiful post, I really felt the spirit of the place and serenity. Loved the string story and how it is cut into smaller pieces. Your photos are great in this one (as always!).
Hi Jackie…Thanks for your kind words! I’m sure you and Joel must still be having a blast in Greece. I’m enjoying your adventures!
Love that photo with all the lit candles. I bet that was so pretty in person.
Hi Sonja…The evening was very pretty with all of the candles and the monks in their orange robes.
Oh that photo of all the candles is beautiful. What an interest tradition.
Loved all the details you provided in your post as well as in the photos. I really liked the close-up of the string and the last two photos were gorgeous.
Very nice captures on your post Nancie, love all the close up details!
Wow – 300 temples. I had no idea! Beautiful photos, especially the ones with the candles. It looks so serene.
Those are very beautiful photos Nancie, especially the one of the candle lighting! I actually knew that Chiang Mai had a lot of beautiful temples, but the number 300 still sounds surprising. But they were all lovely places to visit and I liked nothing more than peeking in and having a look of what was happening inside… 🙂
Oh how I would love to make it to that festival. The candles in the night make for a beautiful, and very peaceful image. One day I will get there!
Beautiful photos, Nancie. I find Buddhist culture fascinating and I can’t begin to imagine seeing that many monks. I’ve been seeing such great Chiang Mai posts lately including this one and I now wish we had enough time to go there too this summer. Love that last photo. Have a great second semester half.
We are on our way to Chiang Mai in a few weeks. Can’t wait! Hopefully we come back with as many good photos as you 🙂
Hi Michael…Enjoy Chiang Mai. I spend a lot of time in the city, and you’ll find a lot of Chiang Mai posts on the blog. If you have any questions, please ask, and I’ll try to answer them!
I love the idea of the strings as a visible symbol of blessings transferred and your photos are amazing. They tell a story all their own. Lovely post!
Hi Anita, Thank you for dropping by. I spend a lot of time in Chiang Mai and never tire of the Buddhist culture.
What a great photo essay on the Buddhist temples of Chinag Mai.
Hi Billie, and thanks. I take a lot of photos of the temples and Buddhist ceremonies in Chiang Mai. It’s always fun to put together a photo essay.
Love the string tradition~
What a nice feeling it must provide to visitors.
Hi Irene…it is a nice tradition. I always have at least “one string blessing” when I’m in Chiang Mai.
I like the idea of the string cut into pieces to transfer blessings to participants. Lovely traditions and beautiful photos.
What a lovely photo tour of that temple. I have had the pleasure, too, of visiting many Thai temples, and your pictures bring back the memories. Here are some of the other memorable experiences I enjoyed in Chiang Mai, http://travelswithcarole.blogspot.com/search/label/Chiang%20Mai
Beautifully presented, Nancie. Such ceremony would be a gift to witness.
I have yet to visit Thailand and Chiang Mai. Great photos and interesting explanation behind the blessing string. Thanks for sharing.
I love some of the details you’ve been able to capture here. Sometimes people get caught up in the grandeur of religion and culture, but to me so much of their richness is in the detail. Lovely post!
I haven’t been to Chang Mai in 10 years although I was in Bangkok a couple weeks ago on my way to Bhutan. Bhutan has a lot of lovely old temples. Your photo with the candles is lovely!
Learning about different religions while traveling is always fascinating to me. I love the shot of all the floating candles, stunning!
Hi Jess! As you know, you can’t go too far in SEA without visiting a temple. I love them.
NIce shots, Nancie. Particularly liked the one with the young monks and cadles. Chiang Mai offers photographers a wealth of phot opportuntiies. A fascinating area .
Corrections! “candles” and ‘photo’ ! Must need new glasses here! 🙂
Hi Ursula! I’ve been spending time in Chiang Mai for years, and I never tire of the city. I take photos everyday when I am there.
Usula, I tried to leave a comment on your train post (great reading), but the comments section seems to be closed.
Thanks for taking the time, Nancie. Perhaps the newspapers were doing an update at the time. Thank you for trying, though, and for the kind compliment.
I’ve never been to Asia or had the opportunity to investigate Buddhist traditions firsthand. But I certainly would like to do so, and meet some of those monks!