Wat Chiang Man
Wat Chiang Man is well - known as Chiang Mai’s oldest temple and covers some important Buddhist images relating to a famous crystal Buddha. The building started to be constructed in 1306 and then several parts were added in later centuries. Therefore, the temple complex has various styles of architecture side by side.
There are two typical meditation halls in Wat Chiang Man, both decorated in red and gold with images of the Buddha. Inside the larger building is the oldest Buddha image of Chiang Mai, a standing Buddha who hold an alms bowl. Known as the first temple to be built in Chiang Mai, Wat Wat Chiang Man was constructed during the reign of King Mengrai who lived in the temple. A raised throne covering two important Buddhas is close to the entrance of Wat Chiang Man. The larger statue is worshipped every April before the Songkran festival because it is said to bring the rain needed for rice growing. The smaller Buddha statue is believed to have special healing powers and is totally carved from crystal.
Wat Chiang Man
Despite being in the center of Chiang Mai’s old city Wat Chiang Man make this place very quiet and peaceful. It has a well – kept and nice garden to sit. When King Mengrai decided to build a new city and make it as the Lanna Kingdom’s new capital, he built the Wat Chiang Man as the first temple of the new city on the place that he used to supervise the construction of Chiang Mai. The temple holds several old and important Buddha images.
The Phra Sila Buddha image is a bas relief stele, sculpted from stone depicting a standing Buddha. The image was mostly made in Sri Lanka over a thousand years ago. The revered image is usually believed to have the power of bringing rain and therefore plays an important role during Songkran festival held in April at the end of the dry season. The Crystal Buddha - Phra Sae Tang Khamani is belonged to the Queen Chamathewi of Lamphun, wife of King Mengrai.
Wat Chiang Man
One more exciting aspect of the temple is its chedi (pagoda) which has 15 life - size elephant carvings incorporated into its base. The statue being inside the temple is regarded as the oldest Lanna kingdom statue. The podium of the stupa was decorated with totally 16 elephants, influenced from Sukhothai art style. The stairs which were decorated with Naka was at the front of the stupa, leading to the arch. The Tripitaka Hall is situated in the middle of the pond for storing tripitaka and scriptures according to Lanna style of construction and folk wisdom. A stone inscription close to the door of the ordination hall (also called bot) is dated 1581. It includes a history of the monastery, town as well as a list of donors to the temple.
The stupa of Wat Chiang Man
The Wat Chiang Man lies in the North East corner of the old walled part of Chiang Mai, between Ratchaphakhinai 1 road and Phra Pok Klao 13 road. Coming into the old part through the Chang Puak gate then taking a left turn to Ratchaphakhinai 1 road. The temple is lying on the right side after approximately 200 meters. Visitors do not worry about the entrance fee when having a trip to explore the temple. Therefore, let’s carefully schedule to have your best experience from 6 am until 5 pm every day.
