Wat Chedi Luang Chiang Mai in 2008

Wat Chedi Luang Chiang Mai in 2008

Wat Chedi Luang marks the historical center of Chiang Mai. The temple was founded in the 14th century and took many decades to complete. The main chedi was originally 82 meters high on a 54 meter base, by far the higest building in Northern Thailand for many centuries. The eastern niche of the chedi was home of the Emerald Buddha from 1468 to 1551, when it was moved to Luang Prabang after an earthquake that had the main chedi collapse to its present height of 54 meters. Today the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaew) has its own temple, the world-famous Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Wat Chedi Luang is also home to the city pillar (Lak Meuang) named Sao Inthakin that is worshipped with a large festival each May.