Buddha Purnima - 6 Buddha images

Last year, unknowingly I travelled to many Buddhist locations in different countries. I visited monasteries in India, Bhutan, China, Japan, Korea and Thailand. It gave me different perspective about Buddhism than what I had or what I had learned in school.  For Buddha Poornima, here are 5 Buddha images I liked the most. Each one is different from the other and represents different Buddhist traditions. You can see different hair style and different ornaments of Buddha in different countries.

Entwined Buddha head in Wat  Mahathat   Ayutthaya , Thailand

The Buddha head entwined in the roots of a tree is an iconic image of Thailand, located in Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya, UNESCO world heritage centre. This temple was built in 14h century. But now it is just a ruin. No one is sure of how the Buddha head has ended up in the roots. But, possible guess work says, after Burmese attack on the temple and severe damage on the statues, some thief was trying to take the Buddha head and as he couldn’t climb up the compound along with the head. He had left it near the tree. The tree, while growing encompassed the Buddha head and now it looks as if it is part of the tree.

Entwined Buddha head, Ayutthaya

Buddha statue at Wat Chaimongkhon, Ayutthaya, Thaialnd

This statue again is from Ayutthaya world heritage centre. This is located in the temple Wat Chaimongkhon( Great monestary of auspicious victory). It is an active temple, even though some part of the temple is in ruins. I just loved this statue in yellow robe in the background of ruins of wall.

Buddha statue at Wat Chaimongkhon, Ayutthaya, Thaialnd

Yungang Grottoes, China

This image is the iconic image of Yungang Grottoes, UNESCO world heritage centre, China. These Buddhist caves have hundreds of Buddha images. But this one stands out with such a pleasant face. I like the eyes are carved and kept fully open. I felt life in the eyes of this image. This sculpture dates back back to 6th century. To read more about Yungang Grottoes, pls click here Yungang Buddhist caves

Buddha at Yungang Grottoes, Datong, China

Buddha Dordenma,Thimpu Bhutan

This statue is said to be world’s tallest Buddha statue in sitting posture. This massive statue is installed on one of the hills outside Thimpu, capital of Bhutan. To read more about it, pls click here Thimpu Bhuddha

Buddha statue at Thimpu, Bhutan

Buddha statue in Ladakh, India

Leh Ladakh in India has many Buddhist monasteries influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. The tibetian style Buddha is located  in Likir monastery  of Ladakh. The golden colored statue glows against the background of blue sky. 

Tibetan Buddha at Likir monastery , Ladakh

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The great Buddha statue, Bodhgaya
Buddha statue in Dhayana mudra on lotus is one of the most visited place in Bodhgaya. This 80 ft statue is believed to be the tallest statue of Buddha in India. Made of granite this statue is deferent from others in this post. It is also different from what I have seen in India. Later got to know that it was built by Daijoko from Japan. It is located in a small park. There are small statues of Buddha's disciples all around. In line with Buddhist tradition, the hollow statue is said to contain many small bronze Buddha statues. When I visited it was evening and  dusky. I couldn't get good picture. Suggest to visit during morning to get better pictures of the statue.

80 sft tall the great Buddha statue of Bodhgaya

Daijoko Buddha of Bodhgaya



Other related links you might want to read
Bodhgaya where Buddha attained enlightenment

A photo essay of Chiang Mai flower market , Thailand

Flowers are an integral part of Thai culture. Flowers play  vital role in worshiping and offerings. It has  significance  in spiritual and cultural life. This  is so much similar to our Indian culture. Just like our flower markets Thai flower markets are also a delight to eyes. All different kinds of flowers from Jasmine to marigold to orchids to lotus to many varieties can be found in multiple of colors. 

Ton Lamayai  flower market is next to Wararot market in Chiang Mai, Thailand. One fresh morning, I took a small walk along the flower market which lies parallel to Ping river. It was a day before Songkran festival and the market was busy. There were fresh flowers coming in from the trucks and shop keepers were busy piling them up and sorting it. Garlands of jasmine were neatly arranged  on the ice pieces to avoid them wilting to the summer heat. We can see garlands of jasmine decoration in many vehicles like tuk tuks and songthaew. 

There were all possible colors of flowers. White, red, yellow, lavender, blue, green, peach or name any color. Some flowers were mix of 2-3 colors and everything in the market was fresh.

It was not only eye candy  but cheap on pocket as well.  Join me in relishing the beauty of the flowers from Ton Lamayai flower market.

Jasmine garlands of different sizes and designs

Love this color, Ton Lamayai market, Chinag Mai

Roses waiting in bouquets

Colored Chrysanthemum

Unloading from the flower truck

Rose buds protected

Pile of lovely orchids

Lotus buds used for religious purpose are very common in Thailand flower market

 My favorite of all was  Lotus buds. They are commonly seen in any temple as an offering to Buddha. What is your favourite ?

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Umbrella village Thailand

Bo Sang Umbrella village,Chiang Mai,Thailand

The umbrellas which you see here in this village are not  mere a  shade providers against sun and rain. They are more than that. They are bright, elegant and full of vibrant colors. Bo Sang umbrellas are treat to eyes.

Umbrella ceiling

Bo Sang is a village in the outskirt of Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. In this village of cottage industries what you see everywhere is multi hued umbrellas in different sizes. Some are plain, some are embellished with finely painted  designs , some are made of paper and  some are rain proof. You will not get tired looking at them and can’t escape from the temptation of buying one. Traditional umbrella is made of Saa paper. This is Thai handmade mulberry paper.

Different stages of Umbrella making

Painting

 These are wooden umbrellas. It was lovely watching experienced hands cutting the wood, making it into uniform sticks and joining them with the mechanism to open and close. There is  an umbrella factory. Each worker is assigned with the different stages of umbrella making. An umbrella before taking its fine shape would have blossomed through 10 different hands. The final step is painting. Floral, animal designs will take life on the umbrellas and once sun dried it is ready for sale.

In the same complex there are many artisans good in painting. They paint on any material. It can be on mobile phone, purse , a book or anything that you wish to have. That doesn’t matter. I got butterfly painted on my valet. It’s waterproof. Now, that is my souvenir of the place.

They have Umbrella festival during January. I was told that they have beauty pageants, parades and the proud artisans will exhibit all their umbrellas. Would be riot of rainbow colors !

Umbrella festival - Picture curtsey - Internet

Riot of colors , Bo Sang Umbrella village , Chiang mai, Thailand

The handicraft shop in the village provides one stop solution for all different kinds of  the products handmade there in the village. Not only Bo Sang the whole length of the road for 2-3 kms is lined up with Silver, jewelry, ceramic and wooden handicraft shops. You can keep half a day for this side of the shopping.

Handicraft shop

Travel notes

• Bo Sang is 9 kms North of Chinag Mai 
•  Can reach there by Songthaew( Local shared taxi) and tuk tuks. Some buses are also there 
•  It can be combined with neighboring cotton and silk villages 
• The price of the umbrellas are bit high. Same was available at a better price in Chianag Mai market. But the designs available in these handicraft shop are plenty 
• Plan it during third week of January to witness Umbrella festival   

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