Wat Jed Yod

Why Wat Jed Yod is special ?

Wat Jed Yod ("Temple of the Seven Spires") is one of the city's most elegant sites, though it is located northwest of the center, beside the Superhighway. The chedi was built during the reign of King Tilokkarat in the late 15th century (his remains are in one of the other chedis), and, in 1477, the World Sangkayana convened here to revise the doctrines of the Buddha.

The unusual design of the main rectangular chedi with seven peaks was copied from the Maha Bodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India, where the Buddha first achieved enlightenment. The temple also has architectural elements reflecting Burmese and early Chinese influences supposed to date back to the Yuan and Ming dynasties. The extraordinary proportions; the angelic, levitating devata (Buddhist spirits) figures carved into the base of the chedi; and the juxtaposition of the other buildings make Wat Jed Yod a masterpiece.

Source: http://www.frommers.com/

What to explore at Wat Jed Yod?

Highlight of the Wat Jed Yod is the viharn, where the temple derives its name from. Jed Yod means 7 peaks, referring to the 7 chedis on top of the structure. The viharn is built in a style completely different from the other Lanna style or more recent Rattanakosin style structures. It was probably modelled after the Mahabodhi temple in Bagan (Myanmar) or the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya in India, where the Buddha reached enlightenment.

The outer walls of the viharn are decorated with 70 Thewada figures, a kind of celestial beings, in different postures. The bas reliefs are sculpted with a very high level of detail. While some of the figures are still in very good condition, some have unfortunately been damaged or all missing altogether.

Source: https://www.renown-travel.com/

How to get to Wat Jed Yod?

The Wat Jed Yod is located in the North West part of Chiang Mai city, around 2 kilometers from the old walled city center. The temple is found just North of the Chiang Mai to Lampang superhighway (Highway 11), a few hundred meters from the Chiang Mai National Museum. To get there, take a tuk tuk (agree on the price before setting off) or drive there yourself on a rented bicycle.

Source: https://www.renown-travel.com/