FIND YOUR SPIRITUAL SELF IN CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
There are more yoga studios, smoothie bowl shops, meditation retreats, and temples in Chiang Mai than you can count. Travellers seek out the "Rose of the North," known for its popular Buddhist way of life, in order to experience spiritual development and healing.
Photo by Peter Borter
Monk Chat
Photo by Billow926
An excellent spot to learn more and engage with the local culture is Chiang Mai. A Monk Chat is the ideal way to spend a few hours in Thailand's northern spiritual centre if you are on a spiritual quest or are just curious. Monk Chats offer a chance to sit down and converse informally and amusingly with local Buddhist monks. As it is a fantastic chance for them to polish their English language abilities and meet individuals from all around the world, novice or younger monks are typically involved in monk chats. The ideal method to learn more about Thai culture, Buddhism, and pretty much anything else you might discuss is through this enjoyable cultural exchange.
After the Monk Chat is done, those who desire to continue exploring their spiritual self can attend meditation retreats offered by the monks at the International Buddhism Centre.
Explore Chiang Mai Temples
Photo by Note Thanun
Chiang Mai, a city situated high in Thailand's mountainous interior, is home to more than three hundred temples that adorn the country's environment. Some of these Chiang Mai temples date back to the 14th century and are well known as one of the important religious and cultural centres of Thailand. All the temples, whether Wat Phra Singh or the well-known Wat Chedi Luang, are outstanding examples of the Buddhist culture that permeates the city.
Wat Sri Suphan
In addition to offering meditation retreats for people who want to continue exploring their spiritual self following the Monk Chat, the monks in this area administer the International Buddhism Center.
Wat Chiang Man
One of the oldest temples in the area is this one. It is situated in the old city next to the Chang Puak gate on the Ratchaphakhinai Road. The construction of this temple is one of its intriguing features. It was erected where a fortified settlement had stood. The chedi in this area, often known as the elephant chedi, is the oldest building. South of the chedi, one could make out the location of a temple library.
Wat Lok Molee
The wooden three-tiered roof of this temple is well known. The temple's architecture reflects the earlier era in which it was constructed, maybe in the 14th century. It is situated on thanon manee nopparat soi 2 in the northern section of the old city of Chiang Mai.
The Loy Krathong Festival
Photo by Rob King
More than any other Thai city, Chiang Mai observes the annual Loy Krathong celebration, which coincides with the twelfth lunar month. In order to honour Buddha, people place Krathongs—lotus-shaped baskets with candles in the middle—in the water of the moat that encircles a portion of Chiang Mai. The Krathongs are then allowed to float out into the distance. The entire celebration is really spectacular and something you must cross off any bucket list you may have. Thousands of lanterns will fill the sky above at the same moment as the Krathongs are launched.
Thailand celebrates Loy Krathong, which typically occurs in November. The Loy Krathong Festival is based on the lunar calendar, hence the precise date changes every year.
There is one version of the events engrained in Thai tradition, despite the fact that the exact roots of Loy Krathong are still unknown. This well-known myth states that Loy Krathong was created somewhere in the 14th century in the historic Sukhothai kingdom. According to a well-known local myth, Nang Noppamas, a lady who served as the king of Sukhothai's consort, created the first embellished krathong and gave it to him as a gift.