Wat Chet Yot (or Chedi Yod) is very cozy and, perhaps, the green temple of Chiang Mai. It feels Chinese, Lao, Indian and, of course, a Thai influence, which gives it a special, elegant look.

The temple was built in 1453 and is dedicated to the Eighth meeting of Buddhists all over the world. Its name comes from the number “seven” is the number of spires on the main Chedi (stupa). He founded the temple of the king of Tilokarat, whose ashes are stored in one of a small Chedi on site.

The architecture of Wat Chet Yot copied from one of the most important Buddhist Mahabodhi temples in the town of Bodh Gaya in Northern India, where Buddha attained enlightenment. Seven spires are a symbol of the seven weeks of meditation, in which he subsequently stayed.

The basis of the Central semispinalis Chedi decorated with 70 elegant bas-reliefs, which are recognized as masterpieces of art in the style of Lanna. Climb to the second level Chedi and look at the temple from a height is permitted only to men and only on special holidays.

In 1455 king is the founder of the Church planted in its territory the sacred Bodhi tree. Subsequently, in Wat Chet Yot there was a whole Avenue of sacred trees, of which there are several Buddhist rituals.

A blessing is considered to catch the leaf of the Bodhi tree that he had fallen from the branches by the wind and time. The sheet is dried or laminated with (a modern twist) and kept on the altar. Pick off the leaves is strictly prohibited.

The second tradition is the creation of props for the massive branches of an ancient Bodhi trees. You need to find or buy on the temple grounds a strong stick with a forked end (usually painted white), to write their wishes and to back it with one of the branches of the Bodhi.