Friday Golden Flowers from Doi Inthanon

I liked the juxtaposition of the downward facing golden trumpet flowers and the golden spire on one of the Doi Inthanon chedi's.

The  extensive gardens surrounding the Doi Inthanon were colorful and I have shared a photo previously.  At the bottom right hand corner you can spot one of my sentimental favourite flowers - hydrangeas.

Doi Inthanon

The Royal Chedis, perched on the side of the mountain,  dominate the skyline on Doi Inthanon.  They were built by the Thai Air force to commemorate their Royal Majesties 60th Birthdays.

The surrounding gardens are colorful and lovely, with some gorgeous blue hydrangeas my mother would have admired.  The chedis are modern in design featuring stylistic Buddha images and murals.

Wat Molee Chedi

Wat Molee or Wat Lok Moli as it is also known was founded for monks from Burma.  It is famous for its chedi built in 1528.  It  is thought to contain the ashes of several kings.  It looks great now, but was an overgrown ruin until 2001 after its monks fled during World War II.

Doi Suthep bells

These bells hang on the rails of the enclosed walkway for devotional rounds at the base of the chedi at Wat Phrathat, Doi Suthep.  There are bigger, even humungous bells on the outer terraces of the temple.
Chedi Facts
Thai temples were originally  built around the chedi or stupa, which usually contain important relics.
According to legend when a relic was bought to Chiang Mai to be enshrined at a temple in1371, it split in two. The second piece was placed on an elephant, which roamed around for 3 days, climbing Doi Suthep.  When it reached the promontory, it circled three times and then dropped dead. It was decided the relic and the remains of the poor elephant would be stay there and a 7 m chedi was built. It was redesigned in 1525 and the chedi is now more than 15m high.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

A gold plated chedi (stupa) dominates the temple complex at Wat Phrathat on Doi Suthep.  Pilgrims make devotional rounds of the base, carrrying flowers - especially gladioli on Saturday.
The parasols on each corner of the chedi are considered "royal regalia".  Maybe a favorite spot for Dame Edna or our newest knight Sir Philip!