Green Stupa Phenomenon Captivates Chiang Rai Pilgrims
Moss and ferns transform a historic stupa at Tham Pla Temple in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district into a striking green monument during the rainy season, drawing pilgrims and photographers to witness the rare natural phenomenon.
A rare natural phenomenon occurs each year at Tham Pla Temple in Pong Ngam subdistrict, Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, where moss and ferns transform the sacred Nopajuda Nine-Tiered Stupa into a striking green structure during the rainy season and Buddhist Lent festival. The temple, famous for its population of monkeys and streams teeming with fish, has become an important landmark drawing tourists and photographers seeking to capture the unique beauty of the green stupa. Built under the spiritual leadership of Luang Por Sumonodabs through community effort and donated materials, the stupa was completed in 1980 and now stands as a cherished sacred object that draws devotees and visitors year-round, with particularly heavy foot traffic during the Lent season when worshippers gather to make merit and witness the temple's natural splendor.
