Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by PowersToTravel
Wat Ban Den, also known as Muang Gan Temple and as Den Sali Sri Muang Gan Temple, sits on a hilltop north of Chiang Mai. Overlooking farms and mountain valleys, this temple is a more recent addition to the suite of Thailand temples. The fantastical art is striking, and the sheer size of the complex is almost overwhelming.
As the photographer in me asserted herself, Greg and I separated ourselves from the rest of our family group, as well as from Bom, the guide. It takes time to frame a picture as you must wait for people to wander off and pray that no one wanders into the frame at the last moment. The sun, as well, wandered in and out, and was well worth waiting for, glinting as it did off the magical creatures.
That said, since I deserted him, I learned no history from our guide. In writing this article, I happened on another travel agency’s informative description of the temple here. I certainly won’t attempt to recount their excellent research. It makes good reading, though, and I recommend it.
A row of wax monks graced one of the large temple buildings, like a hall of fame. Not one, not two, but an entire building’s length of seated monks, each with his own donation box. I’m not sure how I feel about the wax monks. Buddha was Buddha and there are a million images of him, but it seems as if the temples are over-reaching, trying to find new and unusual decorations, and new creative ways to inspire donations. Perhaps appreciating one loved local monk is understandable, but building a hall of fame?
Near the rear of the complex a large group of chedi (pagodas) clustered, each designed slightly differently from each other. White and grey and black and gold, they created such a fascinating study of shapes in the sky. I took picture after picture, but included only one in the slideshow above. Turns out that these chedi are the zodiac temples so revered in Thailand. According to the Renown Travel website, it is important for each Buddhist to perform a pilgrimage to his zodiac temple once in his life. Here at Wat Ban Den it can be a group event, as each sign of the zodiac is represented.
I was so busy chasing the tiger, peacock, elephant and serpent, I didn’t chase or recognize my own zodiac animal at his temple. That’s a photographer for you.
Related Links
Renown Travels history of Wat Ban Den
Chiang Mai Tour Center’s Tour – our tour with our wonderful guide Bom
Check out this article of mine too:
Thailand Travel Blog – Itinerary, Impressions and Diabetic Travel Tips
