Situated in the old city, Phra Buddhasihing or Phra Singh was built by King Pha Yu of Mengrai dynasty in 1345 with the purpose of honoring his father King Kham Fu's ashes. It was named Wat Li Chiang Phra. In 1367, image of Phra Singh Buddha was brought here and the name was changed to Wat Phra Singh.
After some time, viharn and other additions were made to the wat. It is the largest wat in the city of Chiang Mai.
Phra Singh Buddha
a close up
another panel
On the right side of viharn is the golden stupa.
Ubosot:
Retracing our steps back do not miss to see the Ubosot.
If you enter from the viharn side then it is the south side. This side is for monks to enter. The entrance on the opposite is the north side and is designated for the nuns.
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 Chiang Mun, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wat Suan Dok Mai
After some time, viharn and other additions were made to the wat. It is the largest wat in the city of Chiang Mai.
Viharn Luang:
Phra viharn Luang
Viharn Luang was rebuilt in 1925
front view
entrance flanked by naga on both sides
Phra Chao Thong Tip
A large gold and copper Buddha called Phra Chao Thong Tip majestically sits at the end of viharn in Bhumisparsha mudra. Bhumi: earth, sparsh: touch, mudra: posture). Mara, the demon came to distract Buddha from meditating, Buddha touched the earth with his right hand to beckon mother earth. Mother earth came in the form of a woman, wringed her hair drowning Mara.
the abbot's throne
Hor Rakhang or bell tower
The ringing of this bell summons monks for services.
Viharn Lai Kham:
Viharn Lai Kham:
Walking between trees lined path, you reach viharn Lai Kham.
viharn Lai Kam
The beautiful assembly hall or vihara or viharn was built to install the image of Phra Singh Buddha in 1367. The teak wood viharn is made in red and gold and is a perfect example of Lanna architecture.
beautifully decorated entrance to viharn
The pillars and the walls behind Buddha are painted in red and gold giving it a royal look.
Phra Singh Buddha is said came from India via Sri Lanka and was housed here. The head of original Phra Singh Buddha was apparently stolen in 1922 and has been replaced by a new one.
Every year during Songkran festival which is held in April, the statue is taken in a procession through the streets of Chiang Mai and people sprinkle water over it
window panel inside the viharn
murals covering the walls dating from 1820s
Phradhatluang (chedi)
This is the oldest structure in this wat and contains the ashes of King Pha Yu's father. The golden chedi has a square base from which emerge golden elephants. On top of it stands a bell shaped chedi.
The whole chedi rests on a rectangular white base.
A small chedi stands just beside the golden one.
small chedi
Ku Lai (chedi)
The five-tiered chedi is just behind viharn Lai Kham. It was built by King Mueangkaeo and contains ancient relics.
Moving straight ahead and we reach the temple of reclining Buddha.
reclining Buddha
devotee applying gold leaf
Retracing our steps back do not miss to see the Ubosot.
If you enter from the viharn side then it is the south side. This side is for monks to enter. The entrance on the opposite is the north side and is designated for the nuns.
Phra uposatha or ubosoth
As soon as you enter, you see a huge mondop or mandapa with beautiful spired roof. Four almost realistic statues of monks sit deep in meditation. For a minute I thought they were real. They would put Madame' Tussaud's to shame !
The end towards the monk has an image of Phrasingh Buddha.
north side of ubosot
This side has statues of nuns sitting with a replica of emerald Buddha on the mondop. The original emerald Buddha is in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
Points of interest:
- Statue of Phra Singh Buddha
- murals in Viharna Lai Kam
- golden chedi near it
- ubosot
- reclining Buddha
- entry is free
wow, so much culture
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