Photo Gallery
Wat Ku Tao (possibly constructed early 17th century)
Wat Ku Tao is a highly unusual chedi thought to have been built in 1613 to hold the ashes of Prince Saravadi (1578-1607), the first Burmese overlord of Chiang Mai. The name, Ku Tao, derives from the northern Thai word 'tao', meaning melon. The unique design of the pagoda is probably derived from prototypes in Yunnan Province, China, which were introduced to Thailand from traders and migrants hailing from that area. The series of five diminishing spheres comprising the body of the pagoda represents the five Buddhas of the present age.
Bibliography:
All images copyright 2008 Timothy M. Ciccone (photographed early March, 2008).
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Oxford University Press, 1990. Kuala Lumpur
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Thames and Hudson, 2005. Singapore
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