Wat Luang photo copyrighted by: Alan Ingram Wat Chedi Luang This temple is also home to the "Pillar of the City",a totem used in ancient Thai fertility rites, because the temple itself marks the exact center of Chiang Mai.
The tree is inhabited by a guardian spirit known as "Prueksa Thevada", an all
knowing sage. The Inthakhin Festival fertility rite lasting for 7 days takes place each year during the months of May or June. This observance ensured unity
within Lanna society, gave protection from siege and warfare and made certain
that the rains would fall at the proper time so that farmers crops would be abundant in the fertile fields.
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