About this lecture

In 1517, a Lanna royal made a pilgrimage from Chiang Mai to Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai, the great reliquary in Lamphun, arriving at the full moon on 6 March. Along the way he composed a poem, now known as Nirat Hariphunchai. It was once considered very difficult, but Thai scholars have made it more accessible, and we have completed a translation. In the poem, the author gives equal weight to his two devotions—one to the religion and the other to his lady-love. In this talk, Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit discuss this unusual combination, present excerpts from the translation, and tell of retracing the journey on its 505th anniversary, including visits to around 20 locations mentioned in the poem.