Thailand Guide
The north
Wat Chiang Man
Address: Thanon Wiang Kaeo
The tem[ple of Wat Chiang Manis most notable for two dainty and very holy Buddha images housed in the assembly hall to the right of the entrance: the Phra Sila, a graceful stone work carved in northern India in the sixth century BC, stands in the typical hipshot stance; its partner, the Phra Setangamani (or Crystal Buddha), made four centuries later, is much revered by the inhabitants of Chiang Mai for its rain making powers and is carried through the streets during the Songkhran festival to help the rainy season on its way. Neither image is especially beautiful, but a powerful aura is created by making them difficult to see, high up behind three sets of iron bars.