“The most well-known wat (that is, temple — Ed.) in Chiang Mai, built in the 14th Century A.D. on the Suthep Mountain. The relic of the Buddha was placed inside the original pagoda when it was built.” That relic is said to be the shoulder blade of the Buddha himself, found by a monk called Sumanathera after being told in a dream to search for it. Michael Holland tells us more at Thailand for Visitors:
“According to this legend, a Buddha relic, which some say glowed, magically replicated just before it was about to be enshrined in the big chedi at Wat Suan Dok. The ‘cloned’ relic was placed on the back of a sacred white elephant, which was allowed to roam wherever it wanted.
“The elephant eventually climbed to the top of Suthep Mountain, trumpeted three times, turned around three times, knelt down and died. This was taken as a sign that this was the spot where the relic wanted to be, so King Ku Na built the original of the chedi on Doi Suthep.”
If you’re so inclined, feel free to take the tour:
From Marie Isabelle:
This temple has everything! shiny shouder blades…perished pachyderms! It really rings my bell!
From Beth:
Thank you for sharing! Love the postcard! I was ill last weekend so did not get around to see all those wonderful postcards, so Happy PFF!, a little late.