Chao Por Pratu Pha Shrine
(ศาลเจ้าพ่อประตูผา ลำปาง)
Lampang
The great Knight of Khelanfnakorn "Chao Por Pratoopa" or "Paya Mue Lek" was born at Ban Ta, Amphur Ngao, Lampang. He was an orphan. He was the great soildier of Tao Lin Karn. He studied the knowledge of magic for being invulnerability from the abbot of "Wat Na Yang" in Amphur Mea Ta. He was called "Narn Kor Mue Lek" (the iron arms) because he could use his hands to protect himself like the shields. He was loyal , brave and courteous.
At the last period of Ayutthaya (1708-1732 AD.) Lanna Thai Territary and Khelangnakorn were under the rule of Burma. Tao Lin Karn and his people escaoed from the Burmese soldiers to Pratoopa (this area). For protecting he ordered his four noblemen (Santhep, Sannungsue, Sanboonruan and Jare Noi) to look after Khelangnakorn for him, but they failed. Tao Maha Yod, the Burmese ruler in Lampoon, made the villagers suffered terribly and killed theer noblemen. Jare Noi and his people escaped to stay with Tao Lin Karn's soldiers and hid in the cave.
Paya Mue Lek used the swords to fight and killed a lot of Burmese soldiers. Until his swords were broken, after that he used his hands to be the shields. He was very tried and leaning died against the cliff with his broken swords in his hands. The Burmese soldiers thought that is was a trick. They were afraind of him and dared not to fight and ran away. The fighting ended. Tao Lin Karn and Jare Noi came out of the cave and found that Paya Mue Lek died. They involked his spirit to stay on the shrine and named "Sarn Paya Mue Lek" now we called "Sarn Chao Por Pratoopa". It is about 50 kilometers from Amphur Muang Lampang.