Relic Pagodas by Chinese Zodiac in Thailand ::|:: Part I

I have been thinking about writing this story for a long while. Being a Buddhist and a Thai-Chinese, I am influenced by the culture mixes. Of course, one of them is belief, which is very rich and effecting the way I live more or less.
Last year, I went to Myanmar with my sister and her husband. It was one of the great trips I ever had. We went there for about four days and mainly visited sacred Buddhist temples and holy places. In the contrary to the political turmoil and hard economy, Burmese do really have a strong faith in Buddha. Anyhow, that’s another story.
Definitely, we visited Shwedagon Pagoda, which was the pagoda of the Horse zodiac. Then people in the trip kept asking our tour guide about temples of the other zodiac. When I returned home, I wanted to write about it just for my own memory. However, I haven’t had a chance to do it until now.
As we all aware that the current economy is not doing well. Things are getting expensive. The living cost is rising. One thing to do to get your mind out of the difficulty is to find some peacefulness for your soul. If you don’t have any definite plan for this coming Songkran Holidays, you could consider visiting one of the pagodas of your zodiac.
Well, let get start!
Zodiac ::|:: Rat
Wat Phra That Sri Jomthong Destination ::|:: Chiang Mai
Getting there ::|:: Take highway#1010 toward Jomthong. Merging with highway# 108, turn left and follow the road. The temple is on your left.
This relic pagoda, situated on the top of the Jomthong hill, kept the Buddha’s right-side skull. It is more special than others in a sense that it is not buried but stood inside the pagoda. Thus, the relic can be taken out for water blessing.
On the full moon night of the third and seventh month according to the lunar calendar, the Buddha’s relic will be taken out into the main temple for people to sprinkle water for goodness. Legendary, it was said that the water should be taken from Glang River, then added some scent or nutmeg.
Zodiac ::|:: Ox
Wat Phra That Lampang Laung Destination ::|:: Lampang
Getting there ::|:: Upon arriving Lampang, take highway# 1 (to Thern). At milestone #586, turn left heading Koh Ka. When seeing highway# 1035, turn right and driving for about 3 km, you will see the temple on your left.
Wat Phra That Lampan Laung is the oldest temple of Lampang, where the Buddha’s hair was kept. Later, Buddhist Saint brought Buddha’s forehead and neck bone to be kept here at the temple. The relic pagoda is situated at the center of the ancient old town with “Lanna”, the original Thai northern decoration style called “Lai Kham”-the gold print or pattern on red surface. Inside the main temple, there are Buddha’s story painted on the walls since the King Rama V. One of the amazing things of this temple is that inside the “Hor Phar Buddha Bath”, you can see the reflection of the relic pagoda on the floor as a result of the light that going through the small hole on the wall.
Personally, I was born as an Ox zodiac. I had been visited Wat Phar That Lampang Laung for many years ago. At that time, I did not know anything about all these stuff. Now, I am blessed and feeling lucky that at least I had an opportunity to visit the temple of my birth sign.
Zodiac ::|:: Tiger
Phra That Chor Hae Destination ::|:: Prae
Getting there ::|:: Take highway# 11 passing Utaradit. Then take highway# 101 heading Denchai, Prae.
Phra That Chor Hae was situated on the hill with the 1900 B.E. architectural style, keeping the Buddha’s hair and left elbow. The relic pagoda was built in the Burmese octagon style called “Chiang Saen” art. People believe that bringing three color satin will raise your inner strength and protect you from enemy.
Zodiac ::|:: Rabbit
Phra That Chae Haeng Destination ::|:: Nan
Getting there ::|:: Take highway# 11 passing Utaradit and Prae. Then take highway# 101 to Nan. When arriving Nan, take route# 1187 to Ampur Maejarim. In about 2 km, you will get to the intersection. The foot hill in front of you is the entrance to Phra That Chae Haeng.
Phra That Chae Haeng is the golden relic pagoda of Nan province stood tall on the small hill, where you can see it within the distance of 3 KM. It is considered as a love memorial between Nan and Sukhothai territory in the historical age. The pagoda keeps the Buddha’s hair and left wrist bone.
Well, I will run this story in three parts since I don’t want to make it too long to read. And it’s more exciting that way, isn’t it? Of course, it will be before the Songkran holiday in case that you want to visit the temple of your zodiac for your blessing. See you in a bit.