Wat Chiang Mun, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Built in 1296, Wat Chiang Mun is Chiang Mai's one of the oldest wats, the first temple to be built inside the city walls.  It was the residence of King Mengrai till the city got constructed. It is also very important as it houses two very old and revered diminutive Buddha images.

Main viharn:
As you enter the temple, a beautifully crafted Lanna style viharan is seen in front. This main viharn was renovated in 1920 by monk Khru Ba Srivichai.

 Lanna style Viharn

Entering inside the temple, is the image of Buddha under a mondop. It is probably the oldest dated statue.
At the base stand two golden deer. Buddha images stand with black bowls in hands.

Ubosoth:

closed ubosoth

In front of ubosoth is a stone stele on which is inscribed the oldest known record mentioning founding year of Chiang Mai.

The stone slab mentions that the ubosot was built during the time of King Mang Rai dyansty and it was well maintained. It was restored in 1571 by Phaya Saen Luang.

In 1805, in the time of King Kawila a new building was erected. Further, it says that Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai and also that the King stayed here.

Chedi Chang Lom:

This is the oldest structure in this wat. The chedi called Chang Lom or the elephant chedi so named after the elephants which decorate and surround the stupa.

The elephants stand on a square platform on top of this is a relic chamber under a golden pinnacle.

the Chedi

The niches on top of the elephants contain small images of Buddha all around.

steps supported by naga balustrade

What it says in the insciption slab:

In  B.E. 1839 ( Buddhist Era) or 1295 Christin Era King Mengrai built residence and sleeping quarters at this site. It also says that the construction of the new city of Chiang Mai and wat also began. After the city was fully constructed, this chedi was built and the sacred hair relic of Buddha enshrined here.

naga at entrance

There were pieces of sugarcane placed on elephants trunk and I found it very intriguing.

New viharn:

The small vihan also built in the Lanna style is home to very old diminutive images of Buddha.

golden nagas guard the vihan entrance

On the side is a stele giving information about the Buddha images.

                        Crystal Buddha                                                               Marble Buddha (Phra Sila)

These two images are on two sides of entrance. I have put them together.

entrance to viharn

Beautifully decorated door of viharn.

Right in front is a seated Buddha image. Behind this image on noticing carefully is seen two very small seated revered Buddha statues inside a double grid enclosure. It is very easy to miss them.

two images of Buddha

On the left is a black crystal Buddha called Phra Setangamani and on to the right is a marble statue Phra Sila.

Phra Setangamani or Phra Sae Tang Khamani, the crystal Buddha or Phra Kaew Khao is 10 cm in height and was made about 2,500 years back in India. The golden base and canopy was a later addition in 1874.

Phra Sila is a bas relief in stone sculpted in India 1,800 years back. Sila means a stone. It shows a standing Buddha with his right hand over an elphant, "Nalagiri". This bas relief is said to have power to give rains and hence holds a very important place in the Sangoran festival, at the end of dry season and before the advent of rains.

On the sides are images of Buddha with gold leaves on them. This is done to gain merits by the devotees.

murals on the walls


more murals decorating the viharn walls


bird in cages

This is commonly seen in majority of wats. The imprisoned birds are bought by devotees and released to gain merits.

Points of interest:

• entry is free
• the elephant chedi
• do not miss the opportunity of seeing diminutive Buddha images in the new viharn.

Wat Sri Suphan, Chiang mai, Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Umong, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wat Jed Yod or Ched Yod, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Suan Dok Mai