Wat Chiang Man description and photos - Thailand: Chiang Mai (Topic)

Wat Chiang Man description and photos - Thailand: Chiang Mai. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Wat Chiang Man.

Photo and description

According to some reports, Wat Chiang Man is the oldest in Chiang Mai, it was founded in 1306 by King Mengrai. The temple was his home, while the Lanna Kingdom was being built around. Wat Chiang Man was repeatedly restored in 1471, 1558, 1571 and 1581, according to the dates carved on the stone located on the territory of the temple.

Wat Chiang Man contains two precious Buddha figures of great importance for all over Thailand. Both statues can be seen in the small viharna (building) of the temple.

The Crystal Buddha, or Phra Sae Tang Khamani (presumably 14th century), has the ability to protect against natural disasters. The statue is only occasionally put on public display, usually on Sundays.

The Marble Buddha, or Phra Sila Buddha, was created around the 8th century in Ceylon. Buddha is depicted as defeating the elephant Nalagiri and, according to legends, can cause rain. Most of the attention is paid to the Marble Buddha in April, when the whole country celebrates Water Day and New Year according to the Buddhist calendar.

The chedi Chang Lom (in the lane from Thai “stupa surrounded by elephants”), built in the 15th century and restored in the 19th, attracts much attention of the temple visitors. It is a combination of gray stone and gold, which looks very impressive together. The Sinhalese-style elephant figures "emerge" from the base of the stupa.

The central building - viharn - has beautiful decorations both inside and outside. It contains a statue of Buddha with a begging bowl dating back to 1465.

On the territory of Wat Chiang Man there is a stele, fixing the exact moment of the foundation of Chiang Mai: 4 a.m. on April 12, 1296.

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Topic: Wat Chiang Man description and photos - Thailand: Chiang Mai.