Saving a hilltop landmark
Written by Writer on Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Saving a hilltop landmark
Big overhaul of Phrathat Doi Suthep underway to rescue it from nature’s ravages.
Cheewin Sattha in Chiang Mai
Overlooking the plains and valleys of Chiang Mai for centuries, Phrathat Doi Suthep, a religious hilltop landmark, has survived the elements - until now.
Scaffolding is erected around the pagoda.
The effects of weather and natural disasters have damaged the sacred pagoda, raising fears of its collapse.
The Department of Fine Arts has now embarked on a 248-million-baht overhaul of the structure.
It is a race against time to protect the pagoda from nature’s wear and tear.
Rain, landslides, and earthquakes have damaged the pagoda, which owes its sacredness to the relics of the Lord Buddha kept inside it.
In the past 4-5 years, a large umbrella above the golden pagoda at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep has broken twice due to a tremor.
Engineering experts from Chiang Mai University say the excessive high humidity in the body of the pagoda, soil instability around it, and movement in soil layers during heavy downpours have endangered physical features of the pagoda.
They suggest the decayed exterior of the pagoda be stripped and re-gilded while better underground drainage and humidity control systems also be put in place.
Cracks have been found throughoutthe pagoda and nearby structures at Phrathat Doi Suthep temple. Photos by CHEEWINSATTHA
The renovation project on the pagoda and surrounding structures will proceed in two phases carrying on into next year, says Sahawat Nannah, chief of the 8th unit under the Department of Fine Arts in Chiang Mai.
Mr Sahawat said the re-decoration of the golden pagoda is expected to be finished by next month.
Other structures surrounding the pagoda, from the main viharn to an entrance arch, are also being restored after checks showed that they are also at risk of falling into disrepair.
The department believes the repair work will preserve the original structure. Materials chosen for the repairs will be as close to the original quality and design as possible.
Situated on the top of Doi Suthep in the heart of the inner city, the octagonal pagoda cast in two-layered gold gilt is part of the royal temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.
It is one of four royal temples in Chiang Mai.
Doi Suthep is named after the hermit Sudeva who is believed to have taken spiritual sanctuary at the hill. In Pali, Sudeva means ‘a good god’, which is equivalent to ‘Suthep’ in Thai.
Dating back to the old Lanna kingdom period, the pagoda is believed to have been built more than 600 years ago to house the relics of the Lord Buddha.
Back then, the pagoda was rarely visited by people because of the difficult terrain. It takes many hours to reach the peak of the hill on foot.
It was said that people who lacked great merit and strong faith could not make it to the pagoda.
In 1934, monk Kruba Srivichai, of Wat Ban Pang in Lamphun, improved accessibility to the pagoda by helping build an 11km road to the pagoda.
Construction of the road was completed in just five months and 22 days.
The road to Phrathat Doi Suthep was opened on April 30, 1935.
To honour Kruba Srivichai, a statue of the late monk has been erected at the Doi Suthep foothill.
Bangkok Post
Saturday October 25, 2008
