Description of the attraction
Wat Chet Yot (otherwise - Chedi Yod) is a very cozy and, perhaps, the greenest temple in Chiang Mai. It has Chinese, Lao, Indian and, of course, Thai influences, which gives it a special, elegant look.
The temple was built in 1453 and is dedicated to the Eighth Meeting of Buddhists from around the world. Its name comes from the number “seven” - the number of spiers on the main chedi (stupa). The temple was founded by King Tilokarat, whose ashes are kept in one of the small chedi on the territory.
The architecture of Vata Chet Yot is copied from one of the most important Buddhist Mahabodhi temples in the city of Bodhgaya in northern India, where Buddha attained enlightenment. The seven spiers are a symbol of the seven weeks of meditation in which he subsequently stayed.
The base of the central seven-spire chedi is decorated with 70 chic bas-reliefs, which are recognized as masterpieces of art in the Lannes style. Climbing to the second level of the chedi and looking at the temple from a height is only allowed for men and only on special holidays.
In 1455, the founder-king of the temple planted the sacred Bodhi tree on its territory. Subsequently, a whole alley of sacred trees appeared in Wat Chet Yot, with which several Buddhist rituals are associated.
It is considered a blessing to catch a leaf of the Bodhi tree, which itself fell from the branches under the influence of wind and time. Such a sheet is dried or laminated (in a modern way) and stored on the altar. It is strictly forbidden to pluck the leaves.
The second good tradition is the creation of supports for the massive branches of ancient Bodhi trees. You need to find or buy a strong stick with a forked end (usually painted white) on the territory of the temple, write your wish on it and support one of the Bodhi branches with it.
