Wat Umong is wonderfully dilapidated wat in Chiangmai
Wat Umong is a wood temple built in the foothills of Doi Suthep mountain. The distinctive options include an artificial mound that's criss-crossed with tunnels (umong is Thai for “tunnel”). On high of this mound is the principle bell-shaped chedi. Umong Temple is a gorgeous area to go to particularly to walk around under the forest bushes that encompass the temple. The entire identify for the Buddhist temple is Wat Umong Suan Puthatham.
Beneath the grass space housing the main Chedi, are a set of tunnels which give the Wat its name. Legend has it that a king constructed the brick-lined tunnels for a clairvoyant however generally eccentric monk named Thera Jan; work dating again to approx 1380 can nonetheless be seen decorating the partitions, and if you happen to’re female and actually fortunate you may end up cornered by a reasonably ‘excitable’ monk. Tina was. Near the temples is a curious assortment of Buddha heads and other relics from various temples in Thailand. This odd assortment started when one of many temple’s supporters rescued some broken photographs from an deserted temple in a nearby province and bought them here. Now, apparently, when people run throughout such relics or have a broken Buddha they wish to replace, they create them here.
Probably the most spectacular aspects to Umong Temple is its tunnels, relationship again to the thirteenth century. After eradicating your sneakers, the air, which smells of spicy incense and humbling earth, becomes clearly cooler as you walk via one of the three entrances. Inside, there are a number of Buddha statues in enclaves the place locals will leave incense and flowers and pray. Upon going deeper contained in the cave-like tunnel, remember to lookup at the ceiling. Ancient drawings can still be seen and if you look carefully you may make out patterns and even elephants. These historical frescoes bring the historic significance of Umong Temple to light. I couldn’t assist however let my imagination take me to hundreds of years previous to a time when these faded colors had been vivid and colourful, as monks roamed the halls. Another fascinating aspect to Umong Temple is the somewhat massive golden stupa that sits atop the traditional tunnels. I found this stupa relatively photogenic in its simple and natural setting, especially towards a blue sky. I particularly favored shedding my shoes and becoming a member of the locals strolling around the stupa three times in a clockwise route, giving me a extra real and genuine experience at the temple.
Umong Temple is certainly one of my favorite temples in Chiang Mai and I visit it each time I am in town. I love particularly the shady temple grounds, the temple peaceable settings and the calm and peaceable atmosphere. Including to all this the fact that the massive temple grounds are often stuffed with the sounds of monks’ chanting, Umong Temple definitely supplies a welcome change as it differs from the much visited websites in Chiang Mai. Umong Temple will be particularly magical just after the wet season has ended, around early October or November: the brick walls of the mound and the stone works are covered with moss, vines and small plants. Total, Wat Umong is such an fascinating spot to go to, a tranquil web site to while away some time, and a nice diversion from the bustle of Chiangmai. A website nicely worth your trip.
Getting to the Umong Temple from town of Chiangmai is relatively straightforward, with taxi, tuk tuk or contact Tour Agency in Chiang Mai being quite affordable. It will take 20-half-hour every direction. Should you travel to the temple by taxi, Since the temple is a bit out of the way in which, it may be troublesome to find a journey for the return journey, so it would be advisable to book a round trip and have the motive force wait. you will have to make sure you get the driver’s telephone number to be able to make arrangements for the return trip.
The temple opens day by day from 6 am until 5 pm. Admission is free.
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