Inthakhin ( th, อินทขีล; lit. "
Indra's pillar") is the name of the ''
Lak Mueang
Lak mueang ( th, หลักเมือง) are city pillars found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine ( th, ศาลหลักเมือง) which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak Mueang (), the city spirit deit ...
'' (the "city pillar") of
Chiang Mai. It is said that the pillar was first erected by King
Mangrai Mangrai ( nod, ; th, มังราย; 1238–1311), also known as Mengrai ( th, เม็งราย),The name according to historical sources is "Mangrai", and this is used in most modern scholarly applications. "Mengrai", popularised by a 19 ...
at the founding of the city on April 12, 1296 CE at Wat Sadue Mueang (lit. "Temple of the Navel of the City"; also known as Wat Inthakhin) on Inthawarorot road. It was brought to its present location inside a shrine on the temple grounds of
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang ( th, วัดเจดีย์หลวง, lit. ''temple of the big stupa'' or ''temple of the royal stupa'') is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made ...
by the
Lanna
The Lan Na Kingdom ( nod, , , "Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields"; th, อาณาจักรล้านนา, , ), also known as Lannathai, and most commonly called Lanna or Lanna Kingdom, was an Indianized state centered in present-day ...
king
Kawila
Kawila ( th, กาวิละ, , nod, , 31 October 17421816), also known as Phra Boromrachathibodi ( th, พระบรมราชาธิบดี), was the Northern Thai ruler of Chiangmai Kingdom and the founder of Chetton Dynasty. Orig ...
in 1800 CE.
Inthakhin festival
The ''Inthakhin'' or ''Lak Mueang'' Festival in
Chiang Mai,
northern Thailand
Northern Thailand, or more specifically Lanna, is geographically characterised by several mountain ranges, which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar to Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them. Though like most of Thailan ...
(also known as ''Sai Khan Dok'' or ''Bucha Sao Inthakhin'' in
Thai), starts on the 12th day of the waning moon of the six lunar month and lasts eight days. Centered around Wat Chedi Luang, this is a celebration of Brahmic origin. On the first day, which is called ''Tam Bun Khan Dok'' (lit. "Flower Bowl Blessing"), offerings of flowers, candles and incense are made to the city pillar as well as the many other
Buddhist
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
and
Lanna
The Lan Na Kingdom ( nod, , , "Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields"; th, อาณาจักรล้านนา, , ), also known as Lannathai, and most commonly called Lanna or Lanna Kingdom, was an Indianized state centered in present-day ...
-era icons. Dancing, musical performances, carnival games, and Thai vendor food is present. This is a very large celebration in which the Chiang Mai citizenry participate.
In 2012 Inthakhin was on 17–24 May; 2013: 5–12 June; 2014: 25–31 May; 2015: 25–31 May.
The veneration of the city pillar was adopted from a ceremony of the
Lawa people
Lawa ( th, ลัวะ or ; ) are an ethnic group in northern Thailand. The Lawa language is related to the Blang and the Wa language found in China and Burma, and belongs to the Palaungic languages, a branch of the Austroasiatic languages. The ...
(the original inhabitants of northern Thailand) by the
Thai Yuan
The Northern Thai people or Tai Yuan ( th, ไทยวน, ), self-designation ''khon mu(e)ang'' ( nod, , คนเมือง meaning "people of the (cultivated) land" or "people of our community") are a Tai ethnic group, native to eight p ...
ethnic group who built the city of Chiang Mai upon the foundations of an older Lawa city.
Inthakhin legend
According to the legend on which the festival is based, in the time before Chiang Mai was founded, the Lawa people who then lived there received a pillar from the god
Indra to protect them against disaster. After this original pillar was again removed by order of Indra, the Lawa were then told to place a replica of the pillar in its stead, and, if this pillar continued to be venerated and the people lived virtuous lives, the city would gain prosperity and be protected against harm.
Gallery
File:Chiangmai inthakhin 04.jpg, The city pillar inside its shrine (2004 CE). Entrance to this shrine is prohibited for women.
File:City pillar festival 02.jpg, Flowers are placed at the city pillar inside its shrine during the festival (2011 CE)
File:2017 0419 Chiang Mai City Pillar Shrine interior.jpg, The present interior of the City Pillar Shrine (2017 CE)
File:Wat Chedi Luang during Tam Boon Khan Dok - Inthakin City Pillar Festival.jpg, Wat Chedi Luang lit at night during Tam Bun Khan Dok
File:Offerings to Buddha image at Wat Chedi Luang during Tam Boon Khan Dok.jpg, Offerings to a Buddha image at Wat Chedi Luang during Tam Bun Khan Dok
File:City pillar festival 01.jpg, Inside the ''wihan'' of Wat Chedi Luang, money offerings are dropped into alms bowls during the festival
See also
*
Public holidays in Thailand
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors. There are usually nineteen public holidays in a year, but more may be declared by the cabinet. Other observances, both offic ...
*
Loi Krathong
Loy Krathong ( th, ลอยกระทง, , ) is a Thai festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and in nearby countries with significant South Western Tai cultures (Laos, Shan, Mon, Tanintharyi, Kelantan, Kedah, and Xishuangbanna) ...
*
Songkran (Thailand)
Songkran ( th, เทศกาลสงกรานต์, ) is the Thai New Year's national holiday. Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April. In 2018 the Thai cabinet extended the festival ...
References
External links
Inthakhin or Tham Boon Khan Dok – City Pillar Festival, Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Best
Residents celebrate Inthakhin festival Chiang Mai Mail Vol. VI No. 13 - Tuesday May 22, - May 28, 2007
The Drama of Inthakhin Chiangmai.info
{{coord missing, Thailand
Festivals in Thailand
Tourist attractions in Chiang Mai