Wat Phrathat, Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara above Chiang Mai

Photographer: Nacho Libre
From: Day 309 - some inspiration from the Elephant Woman

Wat Phrathat, Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara above Chiang Mai

According to legend, holy relics discovered during the reign of King Kuena (1355-1385) were placed in a howdah on the back of a white elephant, which carried them to to the top of the hill where it dropped dead due to fatigue from the long journey. It was interpreted as a sign and King Nu Naone ordered the construction of a temple at the site in 1383.