WAT DOI SAKET

Wat Doi Saket is officially known as Wat Phra That Doi Saket. This peaceful temple in Chiang Mai’s Doi Saket district is a little away from the busy tourist spots of Chiang Mai and is not one of the usual tourist attractions, but well worth a visit if you are Buddhist or interested in something different. The temple sits atop a hill and surrounded by forest. Access is by walking the long steep Naga stairs to the top or taking a taxi or tuk-tuk ride the long way around the hill and up to the back of the temple grounds.

There are some very amazing things to see such as the large ornate gold and green temple gate with Naga staircase to the top, the four Golden Buddha statues, and a Tham Phra Cave Shrine containing Buddha images, offerings, and sacred Buddhist objects. The large magnificent golden chedi is also one of the main highlights of the temple grounds.

Another interesting temple feature is in front of the Viharn where you will see a golden statue of the Buddhist Earth Goddess Phra Mae Thorani wringing water from her hair.

She is the Buddhist Earth Goddess in Thai temple art. She is usually shown kneeling and wringing water from her long hair, which relates to the story of the Buddha calling the Earth to witness his merit when Mara tried to disturb him before enlightenment.

Mara is a figure in Buddhism who represents temptation, distraction, fear, desire, and spiritual obstacles.

In the story of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Mara tried to stop Siddhartha Gautama from becoming enlightened while he meditated under the Bodhi tree. Mara tempted him with desire, attacked him with armies, and challenged his right to reach enlightenment.

That is when the Buddha touched the earth, calling the Earth Goddess Phra Mae Thorani to witness his accumulated merit. She wrings water from her hair, and the flood washes away Mara’s forces.

When visiting Wat Doi Saket, dress respectfully as you would at any Thai Buddhist temple. Shoulders and knees should be covered, do not wear any top that reveals your front or back, and shoes should be removed before entering sacred buildings. The temple is a place of worship, so it is best to speak quietly, do not climb on religious structures, and be mindful when taking photos around monks, worshippers, and Buddha images. Do not stand directly in front of worshippers.

See below for map and directions to Wat Doi Saket.

Because Wat Doi Saket is well out of the way of any of the tourist spots and some distance from Chiang Mai city, the only practical way to visit is by hiring a tour operator with a car or van. It is too far for tuk-tuks to travel. The best option is a day tour where they will take you around to all the usual tourist spots. Your hotel can normally organise a driver, or you can easily find a private tour operator in the city touting day tours.