Sunday, March 15, 2026

Wat Jed Yod At Chiang Rai: A Beautiful and Peaceful Temple You Should Visit With Seven-Spired Chedi - Thailand.

Many tourists visiting Chiang Rai usually explore the famous temples such as Wat Rong Khun, Wat Rong Suea Ten and Wat Huay Pla Kang. However, they often overlook the unique and historic Wat Jed Yod, which is located in the heart of the city.
Wat Jed Yod is a well-known temple among local residents and offers a peaceful and authentic atmosphere. Unlike the more famous White and Blue temples, it has a simple and serene environment that reflects traditional Thai Buddhist culture. The temple is located on Jed Yod Road, just a short walk from the popular Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and the iconic Chiang Rai Clock Tower.
Despite its convenient location, relatively few tourists visit this remarkable temple. At night, the temple becomes especially striking as the assembly hall is beautifully illuminated, showcasing a massive gilded Buddha statue that can be clearly seen from the road and attracts many passersby.

Wat Jed Yod is a Buddhist temple located just south of the city centre of Chiang Rai, Thailand. It’s known for its distinctive white chedi (stupa) with seven spires, which gives the temple its name — “jed yod” means “seven peaks” in Thai. The temple was established in 1844, offically as a temple after the rite of Wisungkhamasima in year 1938 and later became a third-class royal temple in 1978. Its architecture shows a mix of Thai-Lanna style with influences inspired by the famous Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India. Behind the main hall is the unique seven-spired stupa, and inside the viharn (main hall) visitors will find a large gilded Buddha image surrounded by colorful murals and an unusual astrological fresco on the ceiling. Wat Jed Yod is less visited than some of Chiang Rai’s more famous temples but is appreciated for its peaceful atmosphere, cultural charm, and architectural details — making it a nice stop for those exploring the city’s Buddhist heritage.

The Ubosot (ordination hall) of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai features beautiful Lanna-style artistic decorations that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Northern Thailand. In front of the hall, colorful paper lanterns are hung for local devotees, who come to pray and make offerings at the temple.
Visitors enter the Ubosot (ordination hall) of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai through a richly decorated veranda adorned with intricate floral motifs. The wooden ceiling inside features a unique Thai astrological fresco, showcasing traditional Lanna artistic elements. The entrance is beautifully flanked by two gilded Naga serpents, symbolizing protection and spiritual power in Buddhist and Thai mythology.
Visitors enter the Ubosot (ordination hall) of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai through a richly decorated veranda adorned with intricate floral motifs. The wooden ceiling of the Ubosot features a unique Thai astrological fresco, reflecting traditional Lanna artistic craftsmanship. ✨
The Ubosot of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai houses a large gilded seated principal Phra Buddha image (Phra Prathan), surrounded by mural paintings and ornate decorations in red and silver, creating a rich and sacred atmosphere inside the temple. ✨🙏
A massive, warmly expressive golden Phra Buddha statue dominates the main Ubosot hall of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, surrounded by vibrant Buddhist mural paintings. The serene atmosphere inside the hall creates a deep sense of peace, making visitors feel calm and spiritually blessed while spending time in this sacred space. 🙏✨

Inside the Ubosot of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, vibrant Buddhist mural paintings decorate the walls, while the beautifully crafted door features artistic decorations with an image of Phra Thep, a celestial angel in Thai Buddhist tradition. These detailed artworks reflect the elegance of traditional Lanna temple design and add to the sacred and peaceful atmosphere of the hall. ✨🙏
The surrounding area of the Ubosot at Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai is calm and spacious, with traditional temple buildings, trees, and small religious structures that create a peaceful atmosphere for visitors and local devotees. The Ubosot itself is decorated with beautiful Lanna-style architectural details and stands as one of the important structures within the temple complex. This Ubosot was consecrated in 1944 after the temple received its official boundary markers for ordination ceremonies.
At Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, there are additional buildings within the temple grounds that serve practical and community functions. These include a hall building, which is often used for religious gatherings, ceremonies, and community activities, and an office building, where temple administration and daily operations are managed by monks and temple staff. These structures support the temple’s role as both a spiritual center and a place for local community activities. 🏯🙏

What makes Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai particularly interesting is the unique building located behind the Ubosot. This structure features a white seven-spired chedi, which gives the temple its name, “Jed Yod,” meaning seven peaks. On the roof are seven small spired chedis arranged in a distinctive architectural style. On the ground floor, there is an altar housing a seated Phra Chao Tan Jai, a Buddha image believed by devotees to grant wishes quickly, along with a reclining Buddha image representing the Buddha entering Parinirvana. These sacred images make the area an important place for prayer and offerings by visitors and local devotees. 🙏✨

At the entrance of the seven-spired chedi building at Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, visitors can see the Reclining Phra Buddha and a seated Phra Chao Tan Jai statue, both venerated by devotees who come to pray and make offerings. On both sides of the structure are two narrow staircases, one on the left and one on the right, which provide access to the roof where the seven spires are located. According to local temple tradition, women are not permitted to climb up to the roof. The staircases are also quite steep and narrow, so visitors who are taller than about 170 centimeters or have a bulky physique may find them somewhat uncomfortable to use. 🙏

On the roof of the seven-spired structure at Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, visitors will find one large central chedi surrounded by six smaller ones, forming the distinctive seven-spired design that gives the temple its name. From the rooftop, there is a pleasant view of the surrounding temple grounds and nearby area. After dark, the chedis are beautifully illuminated, creating a striking and atmospheric scene. Visiting the temple both during the daytime and in the evening is highly recommended, as the nighttime lighting gives the temple a mystical ambiance and offers excellent opportunities for photography. ✨📸

The large chedi at Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai is wrapped with yellow cloth offerings made by devotees, a traditional Buddhist practice symbolizing respect and merit-making. At the base of the big chedi, there are also Buddha statues that are venerated by worshippers, who come to pray and make offerings in this sacred space. 🙏✨

Hong Samud, the library building of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, is a traditional structure used for storing Buddhist scriptures and religious texts. Inside the building, there is also a Buddha statue, creating a quiet and sacred space for reflection and respect. 📚🙏
Outside in the garden of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, there are small shrines that house Buddha statues. These shrines provide a peaceful space where visitors and devotees can stop to pray, make offerings, and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the temple garden. 🌿🙏

The pavilion of Somdet Phra Phutthacharn at Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai serves as a memorial space honoring the previous abbots of the temple. Inside the pavilion are statues and portraits commemorating the former monks who led and cared for the temple. There is limited historical documentation about the early history of Wat Jed Yod. According to information provided at the temple, Wat Jed Yod dates back to 1844 (BE2387). It is believed that a monk named Phra Kruba Kantha Khanta Wungso may have been the founder of the temple. According to local legend, the monk discovered the ruins of seven ancient chedis at this location. Inspired by this discovery, he decided to establish a temple here and constructed a chedi within the temple grounds. The temple was then named Wat Jed Yod, meaning “Temple of Seven Peaks,” in reference to the seven chedis. 🙏

Photo showing the statue and portraits of Phra Kruba Kantha Khanta Wungso, Phra Ratchapanyamoli, PhraKru Ananda Khantikun, and other previous chief abbots of Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai. The display honors the monks who served and guided the temple throughout its history. 🙏

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Saturday, March 7, 2026

Discover Wat Kruttaram: The Sacred Temple of Phaya Krut (Garuda) in Ayutthaya - Thailand.

Wat Kruttaram is an important Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand, known for its strong association with the worship of Phaya Krut - Garuda. The temple dates back to the period of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and reflects the religious traditions and artistic influences of that era. Wat Kruttaram was abandoned for a long period in past. However, in recent years the temple has been restored and revived. Today, Wat Kruttaram has become an active religious site once again, attracting many visitors and devotees who come to pray and pay respect, especially to Phaya Krut ~ Garuda. The revival of the temple has helped restore its cultural and spiritual significance within the historic city of Ayutthaya.

Wat Kruttaram is especially famous for its connection to Phaya Krut, the Thai representation of Garuda. Phaya Krut ~ Garuda is a powerful mythical bird-like creature that symbolizes strength, protection, and royal authority in Thai culture. Because of this symbolism, Garuda imagery is widely used in Thailand and is closely linked to the monarchy and national identity. The temple contains prominent statues and images of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda, making it a unique religious site where visitors and devotees pay respect to this legendary figure. These artistic elements highlight the influence of Hindu-Buddhist mythology in Thai religious art and demonstrate how mythological symbols were integrated into temple architecture during the Ayutthaya period. Today, Wat Kruttaram remains a culturally significant site where visitors can learn about the role of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda in Thai mythology and appreciate the historical heritage of Ayutthaya. The temple continues to attract both pilgrims and tourists interested in Thai history, religion, and mythology.

The main prayer hall at Wat Kruttaram is a wooden building that houses sacred religious images. At the front of the hall stands a renowned statue of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda, which attracts many visitors and devotees who come to pray and seek blessings.
Feeling blessed after praying and taking a photo with the sacred Phaya Krut ~ Garuda at Wat Kruttaram. Many Visitors feel blessed after praying and also taking photos with the sacred Phaya Krut ~ Garuda at Wat Kruttaram, a powerful symbol of protection and strength.
This closer view highlights the finest details of the colourful statue of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda at Wat Kruttaram, an impressive symbol of strength, protection, and royal power in Thai culture. This Phaya krut ~ Garuda statue official name is Phaya Krut Song Mahitthanuphap (a powerful Garuda figure) for worship.
The Bell Tower of Wat Kruttaram, with the temple building located behind it. Below have a storage jars mainly for water called "Nang Loeng".
This building is the kuti, the living quarters for monks at Wat Kruttaram, where they reside and carry out their daily monastic activities. Have many antique storage jars at the front kuti building. Wat Kruttaram stood in the center of a community which basic occupation was to mold large storage jars mainly for water called "Nang Loeng" translated as "Large Ladies". After molding, the jars were dried and then fired following open bon fire techniques.
This wooden prayer hall at Wat Kruttaram houses a modest altar where a sacred image of the Phra Buddha is respectfully enshrined, reflecting the temple’s simple and peaceful atmosphere.
This is the temple amulet counter at Wat Kruttaram, where devotees can receive blessed amulets as spiritual protection and good fortune.
Photos showing a batch of sacred amulets consecrated at Wat Kruttaram for devotees and visitors.
A photo taken inside the main prayer hall of Wat Kruttaram, featuring the peaceful and sacred Phra Buddha altar where devotees offer prayers.
A designated seat for a monk to give blessings and sacred chants to visitors at Wat Kruttaram, together with additional photos of amulet batches that were ceremonially consecrated at the temple.
An old Ubosot building can still be seen at Wat Kruttaram, serving as a reminder of the temple’s historical past and its religious significance in Ayutthaya.
A white Chedi stands in front of the old Ubosot at Wat Kruttaram, with rows of small Phra Buddha statues beautifully arranged around the base of the Chedi.
At the entrance of the Ubosot of Wat Kruttaram stand white bronze statues of the Phra Buddha, creating a serene and sacred atmosphere for visitors entering the hall.
The core narrative of Wat Kruttaram centers on “the founding of the temple and its principal Phra Buddha image”. Public accounts say an inscription at the Ubosot records that the temple was established during the reign of Somdet Phra Thinang Suriyasin Amarin (King Ekkathat) around BE2302 and that the principal Phra Buddha image inside the Ubosot was created at the same time. The image is described as a white sandstone Phra Buddha in the Mara-Vijaya posture, with dimensions recorded in the traditional craft-and-commission style of that era. There is also information that the temple received a royal boundary (wisungkhamsima) around BE2306. Together, these details frame Wat Kruttaram as a temple that was formally established not long before the fall of Ayutthaya. After the Second Fall of Ayutthaya, the temple is said to have entered a period of abandonment, before later restoration brought it back as a living temple again.
The feature most visitors remember is the principal Phra Buddha image commonly called Luang Pho Khrut Buddha. The widely told local story says that at one time, thieves cut off and stole the Buddha’s head. When the community learned what had happened, they wanted to repair the image and began searching for a replacement head. By chance, a Buddha head was found that could be fitted perfectly back onto the body. What made the name “Luang Pho Khrut” stick is the explanation that the mouth of the found head had a shape likened to a “garuda beak” (“pak krut”), echoing the temple’s name. When you stand close to the image, the sense of sacredness here doesn’t come only from dramatic storytelling. It also comes from the shared feeling that the community “brought the temple back” after a painful incident and returned what was damaged to a state worthy of worship once more.
Inside the Ubosot at Wat Kruttaram is the sacred space where monks perform ritual ceremonies to bless and consecrate batches of temple amulets for devotees.
A view from the ubosot looking toward the prayer hall and the shrine dedicated to Phaya Krut ~ Garuda at Wat Kruttaram.
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