Buddhists earn merit by dropping 108 coins of small denomination in each of the 108 black bowls at Wat Pan Tao in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This area of town is rife with old wats, mostly because at least four were build to serve Wat Chedi Luang, which sits next door and is arguably the most … Read more
Brick Chedi constructed in the Mondop style (left) and Viharn (worship hall) at Wat Jet Lin in Chiang Mai, Thailand, dates back to the 16th century. But the real surprise of this temple complex is found behind the Viharn. Here, a bridge covered in woven bamboo mats leads across a pond, where humongous lily pads … Read more
On New Year’s Day, Thais make offerings at the Golden Mount in Bangkok, Thailand. The Golden Mount is part of the Wat Saket complex, which includes a Viharn (worship hall), consecration hall, and and convocation hall, along with a myriad of smaller temples and stupas (chedis). Most structures surround the hillside upon which the Golden … Read more
Wat Suthat Thepwararam in Bangkok, Thailand, contains 156 Buddha images and is ringed by eight-tier hexagonal Chinese pagodas carved of stone. The Viharn (worship hall) features frescoes depicting the 24 incarnations of the Buddha and exquisitely hand-carved teak door panels. This photo was taken on New Year’s Eve Day as the Wat was preparing for … Read more
The Giant Swing in Bangkok, Thailand, stands in the center of the city, with the City Hall on one side and Wat Suthat Thepwararam on the other. The teak contraption was formerly used in a Brahman Hindu ceremony, during which young boys attempted to swing high enough to grab a bag of silver coins placed … Read more
