8 Jan 2018
On our way from Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai, we stopped by Wat Ban Den, one of the most remarkable and beautiful temples in the northern part of Chiang Mai.
Located in the Mae Taeng District about 50 km or 1 hour drive from Chiang Mai, a visit to this temple could be combined with visits to popular attractions in this area. Wat Ban Den is open daily from 6 am until 5 pm. Admission is free.
The site is located on slightly higher ground than the surrounding. Walking up from the car park to the temple complex, I felt a sense of awe at first sight of the impressive and beautiful buildings in the huge temple complex.
We entered a Lanna style temple at the left side first, a temple with the blue triple-layered roof on top of polished teak hall. Like most Thai temples in the north, there is a pair of fierce looking mythical Nagas, in pink and green, on both sides of the entrance.
The Naga looked like a modern day monster from the movies.
Naga emerging from the mouth of a Makara, a creature that combines the crocodile, the elephant and the serpent.
Look closely and you would notice that the Naga is emerging from the mouth of a Makara, another mythical creature that combines the crocodile, the elephant and the serpent.
In the late 13th century, the Lanna Kingdom covered most of Northern Thailand as we know it today as well as neighbouring parts of Burma, China and Laos, with Chiang Mai as its capital. It was invaded and ruled by the Burmese back in the 15th century. In 1774 the then King of Lanna, with assistance from the Siamese kingdom in the south, finally drove the Burmese out of the Lanna Kingdom. Our guide explained that the Naga emerging from the mouth of a Makara symbolism is to denote the independence of the Lanna Kingdom from the rule of the Burmese.
The Lanna Kingdom eventually became part of Siam in 1892 and Siam later became known as Thailand.
Extremely detailed artwork. Even the eye of the Makara had eye lashes.
Our guide told me that this temple is known to grant wishes of those who pray to the Buddha inside. I removed my shoes and entered the impressive temple.
I made a silent wish, prayed and left a small donation at the donation box in front of the Buddha. Maybe my wish would be granted too.
Looking inside the temple at Wat Ban Den.
Inside of the temple at Wat Ban Den.
Buddha in Wat Ban Den.
Wat Ban Den had been recently renovated to its present impressive state due to efforts of a much respected abbot named Kruba Thueang Natsilo. He raised funds for the temple to be renovated. The photos of this abbot could be seen on the walls at the right side of the entrance.
We spent about an hour exploring the complex and admiring the ornate architecture of the various buildings.
Another impressive building at Wat Ban Den, with colourful mythical creatures with elephant head, dragon or bird body on the staircase balustrade.
All over the temple grounds are white mythical lion figures called Singha in Thai, acting as guardians.
At the back of the temple complex, there is a raised platform with a large stupa surrounded by 12 smaller stupas representing the 12 oriental zodiac animals.
Fence with swords and spears.
Similar to the Chinese zodiac there are twelve animals each representing a year: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, serpent (dragon), snake, horse, goat (ram), monkey, rooster, dog and pig. For Thai zodiac, the Chinese dragon is replaced by a Buddhist naga (serpent).
Each stupa has a statue of the zodiac animal, plus an altar for prayers. The Thais would come and pray at the stupa that represents the year of their birth.
Statue of a zodiac animal next to a stupa.
Small tokens of the zodiac animals are placed next to the animal statue. These are left by worshippers to give thanks for having their prayer answered or wish granted.
Sometimes, colourful ribbons are tied to the statue as a form of thanksgiving too. The above is a 5 headed Naga or serpent.
Another mythical creature (Elephant and Peacock?) on the stairs leading to the 12 stupas representing the 12 oriental zodiac animals.
Golden Reclining Buddha at Wat Ban Den.
Pink elephant with 3 heads called the Erawan.
More donations lined up for the temple.
Overview of Wat Ban Den.
Wat Ban Den was the last place that we visited as part of the 2D/1N tour with Lanna Kingdom Tours. From there, our driver Boon drove us back to Hotel De Nara in Chiang Mai.
That night, I used the hair dryer to blow dry my Samsung Note 5 mobile phone that was soaked when I felled while crossing a stream during the morning jungle trek at Chiang Dao. My phone could not boot and battery was completely flat after the soaking.
I had read that one way to fix a wet phone is to dry it using a hair dryer. After an hour of effort, my phone was still dead.
The next morning, I tried another 30 minutes of blasting warm air through the small openings in my phone. My phone suddenly was able to charge and it finally boot up with all functionality restored!
Miracle does happen.
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and skills of the Samsung engineers.
Or was it divine intervention that my wish made at Wat Ban Den came true?
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