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The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The Makara is a mythical creature associated with water. In Central Java, they often stood guard at temple entrances. This example has the muzzle of a dragon, the trunk of an elephant and the horns of a ram. Seated on the tongue of its wide-open mouth is a lion.<br/><br/> The Makara is the <i>vahana</i> (vehicle) of the Ganga - the goddess of river Ganges (Ganga) and the sea god Varuna. It is also the insignia of the love god Kamadeva. Kamadeva is also known as Makaradhvaja (on whose flag a makara is depicted). Makara is the astrological sign of Capricorn, one of the twelve symbols of the Zodiac. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> The Makara symbolized in ornaments are also in popular use as wedding gifts for bridal decoration. The Hindu Preserver-god Vishnu is also shown wearing makara-shaped earrings called Makarakundalas. The Sun god Surya and the Mother Goddess Chandi are also sometimes described as being adorned with Makarakundalas.
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
In Vedic religion, Varuna is a god of the water and of the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law of the underwater world. A Makara is his mount.<br/><br/> In Hindu mythology, Varuna continues to be considered the god of all forms of the water element, particularly the oceans.
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
Mom is very much the northern Thai version of a makara. Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Abandoned in the late 13th century CE, and now in ruins, Wiang Kum Kam was once the capital of Thailand’s northern region, and is located just south of Chiang Mai. It was built by King Mangrai at some time in the 13th century after his victory over the Hariphunchai kingdom of modern-day Lamphun. However, after the city had flooded several times, Mangrai decided to relocate the capital of his kingdom, and moved it farther north on the River Ping to a site that is now the city of Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> Wiang Kum Kam was abandoned in 1290 CE, although some records suggest a community called Chang Kham lived there before or after the Burmese seizure of Chiang Mai in 1558.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Wat Chiang Yeun is a 16th century Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. It caters to the local Shan (Tai Yai) community who have settled in the area.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai, sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city is on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall, since nearby Burma was a constant threat.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Wat Phrathat Doi Saket is perhaps best known for the murals adorning the inner walls of the main viharn. Artist Chaiwat Waranon painted these spectacular murals in the early 1990s.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall, since nearby Burma was a constant threat.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is a 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is located to the north-east of the main group of temples at Angkor. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. Banteay Srei is sometimes referred to as the 'jewel of Khmer art.'
The kingdom of Champa (Campadesa or nagara Campa) Chăm Pa in Vietnamese, 占城 Chiêm Thành in Hán Việt and Zhàn chéng in Chinese records) was an Indianized kingdom that controlled much of southern and central Vietnam from approximately the 7th century through to 1832.<br/><br/> Champa reached its apogee in the 9th and 10th centuries. Then began a gradual decline under pressure from Đại Việt, the Vietnamese polity centered in the region of modern Hanoi. In 1471, Viet troops sacked the northern Cham capital of Vijaya, and in 1697 the southern principality of Panduranga became a vassal of the Vietnamese emperor.<br/><br/> In 1832, the Vietnamese emperor Minh Mạng annexed the remaining Cham territories. Mỹ Sơn, a former religious center, and Hội An, one of Champa's main port cities, are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.<br/><br/> Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.
The kingdom of Champa (Campadesa or nagara Campa) Chăm Pa in Vietnamese, 占城 Chiêm Thành in Hán Việt and Zhàn chéng in Chinese records) was an Indianized kingdom that controlled much of southern and central Vietnam from approximately the 7th century through to 1832.<br/><br/> Champa reached its apogee in the 9th and 10th centuries. Then began a gradual decline under pressure from Đại Việt, the Vietnamese polity centered in the region of modern Hanoi. In 1471, Viet troops sacked the northern Cham capital of Vijaya, and in 1697 the southern principality of Panduranga became a vassal of the Vietnamese emperor.<br/><br/> In 1832, the Vietnamese emperor Minh Mạng annexed the remaining Cham territories. Mỹ Sơn, a former religious center, and Hội An, one of Champa's main port cities, are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.<br/><br/> Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Wat Chiang Yeun is a 16th century Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. It caters to the local Shan (Tai Yai) community who have settled in the area.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai, sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city is on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall, since nearby Burma was a constant threat.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as seal. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted. It is often portrayed protecting entryways to Hindu and Buddhist temples.<br/><br/> Wat Chiang Yeun is a 16th century Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. It caters to the local Shan (Tai Yai) community who have settled in the area.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai, sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city is on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall, since nearby Burma was a constant threat.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.
Gajendra Moksha (Sanskrit: गजेन्द्रमोक्षः) is a Puranic legend from Bhagavata Purana. Lord Vishnu came down to earth to protect Gajendra (elephant) from the death clutches of Makara (crocodile).<br/><br/> Gajendra was the King of the Elephants. One hot day, he proceeded to the lake with his family to cool off in its fresh waters. But from within the lake a crocodile appeared who attacked him and would not let go of him. When the family and relatives saw ‘death’ coming close to Gajendra, and everyone realised that everything was lost, they left Gajendra alone. Gajendra prayed to god Vishnu to save him. Vishnu came to the aid of Gajendra, who offered a lotus to the god. Vishnu attacked the crocodile and saved His Loved One.<br/><br/> Gajendra, in his previous life was a great devotee called Indradyumna who was also a great king. One day, Agastya, a great sage came to visit the king. Indradyumna did not receive the Sage with the respect that the latter expected. The enraged Agastya cursed the king to become an elephant in his next birth, as he sat heavy on his seat and did not rise to greet him.
The Mon, a non-Tai group, were resettled in Chiang Mai at the beginning of the 19th century. They were traditionally hostile to the ruling Bamar people of Burma, and therefore generally considered to be natural allies of the Tai, whether in Lan Na, or further to the south in Siam.<br/><br/> The Mon, often associated with water and boats (notably in their main Bangkok areas of settlement at Pak Kret and Phra Padaeng), were settled around Wat Chai Mongkhon on the west bank of the River Ping just north of Charoen Prathet Soi 9. Today, however, there is precious little to suggest a Mon connection with this wealthy and rather over-elaborate temple which clearly receives substantial donations from the city’s wealthy Sino-Thai community. It is interesting to note that Mon often worked as boatmen in this area, and that today ‘river trips’ on the Maenam Ping start and end at the Wat Chai Mongkhon river landing.