Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine, Chainat

Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine (or Thap Thim Goddess at Ta Lor pier) is located in the east side of Nan riverbank, with its back attached to northern route railway: Chiang Mai-Bangkok. Inside enshrined a statue of Chao Mae Thap Thim (Tui-Buay-Teng-Neng) as a principle holy image. Also, the statue of Chao Pho Kuan-U (the Chinese God of Loyalty) is enshrined on the right, and Chao Pho Poon-Thao-Kong, and Chao Pho Poon-Thao-Ma are situated on the left. According to the legend and the remaining evidences, Chao Mae Thap Thim and Chao Pho Kuan-U were invited from Koh Hai Lam island, and Kwang Tung province, China in 1867. In that time, the owner of the dockyard who did business in Ta Lor village had brought the statue of Chao Mae Thap Thim from China. He then donated 2 rafts full of teak logs to build an enormous shrine for Chao Mae Thap Thim, and Chao Pho Kuan-U for people from near and far to visit and worship. Moreover, the shrine provides academic knowledge by teaching both Thai and Chinese languages to children in the village as well. Since then, the trading, and families in the community had continuously expanded. According to the chronicle, the valuable item in this shrine is a Chinese-style palanquin from China enshrining the goddess statue. It was a hard wooden palanquin wholly engraved with flower and animal patterns in Chinese artistic style. There are 2 sets (16 items) of 8 holy symbols belonged to 8 immortal demigods in Chinese belief (Poi-Por or “Sien” in Thai). These items are considered very precious, since they were particularly made from Kwang Chow during the old period. The sacredness, and supernatural power of Chao Pho, and Chao Mae (God and goddess) of Chao Mae Thap Thim Ta Lor Shrine has been renowned from the old times. Disciples from near and far have broadly received lives of prosperity, without any harm until nowadays. Remarkably, every December in a year, there will be a worshipping ceremony held for Chao Mae Thap Thim here, which people from everywh