Thailand: A representation of Rahu, Snake Demon and causer of solar and lunar eclipses, Wat Pong Sanuk Tai, Lampang, Lampang Province, northern Thailand

Thailand: A representation of Rahu, Snake Demon and causer of solar and lunar eclipses, Wat Pong Sanuk Tai, Lampang, Lampang Province, northern Thailand

In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. Rahu is one of the navagrahas (nine planets) in Vedic astrology. The Rahu kala (time of day under the influence of Rahu) is considered inauspicious. According to legend, during the Samudra manthan, the asura Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse. Wat Pong Sanuk Tai or 'The Monastery of the Southern Fun Marsh' was built in the late 18th century combining Burmese and Lanna styles of architecture. The temple's mondop is one of the finest examples of its type and is a marvelous blend of Lanna and Burmese workmanship. Lampang was originally founded during the 7th century Dvaravati period. Nothing remains from these early times, but the city is rich in temples, many of which have a distinctly Burmese flavour as Lampang had a substantial Burmese population in the 19th century, most of whom were involved in the logging industry.

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