Lanna Landmarks @ Wat Chediluang Varaviharn
Borannaree
Located at the heart of Chiang Mai's old walled city, the temple of Wat Chediluang Varaviharn is home to Chedi Luang, the city's largest 'chedi' (stupa), which is much revered by locals and considered to be one of the most significant in northern Thailand.
King Saenmuangma was responsible for ordering the construction of the temple during the late 1390s. The monarch, who reigned during 1385-1401, was the seventh king of the northern Kingdom of Lanna (1292-1774). The chedi was originally small in size, but was later expanded by King Tilokaraj, who ruled the kingdom during 1441-1487.
Prime Example
The 600-year-old brick and mortar chedi (see main photo) lost its uppermost section during an earthquake in 1554, but since a thorough renovation carried out by the Fine Art Department about 20 years ago, the chedi has become increasingly significant, emerging as a remarkable historical example of temple architecture during the early period of Lanna Kingdom.
It is believed that the uppermost part of the chedi was a spire, while the remaining central structure is square in shape, suggesting it was influenced by the square-shaped chedis found in the central Burmese city of Pagan (now Bagan [Myanmar]). The structure, which stands upon a square base measuring 60 by 60 meters, reaches a height of 40 m. It's thought that the chedi previously reached a height of 90 m prior to losing its uppermost section.
Wat Chediluang is also home to Viharn Luang, a preaching hall that houses the temple's principle Buddha image, named Phra Attharos (in a standing position, expressing the gesture forbidding relatives from fighting). The bronze image was created in 1411, together with the original vihara, by Queen Tilokjutha (['the late'] King Saenmuangma's wife).
The original vihara was built using teak wood and has been renovated and reconstructed on several occasions. The current vihara, which features a concrete building with a tiered roof in a traditional northern style, was built in 1928.
Lasting Impressions
Another important structure at the temple is the City Pillar Shrine, which is located within an area by the temple's front entrance. The city pillar reaches a height of 1.3 m and is made of bricks and mortar. A bronze Buddha image is situated on top of the pillar.
The city pillar was built by King Mengrai, who reigned the Lanna kingdom during 1292-1311 and was the founder of the Mungrai dynasty and the Lanna Kingdom. It was built in 1296, four years after the establishment of the Lanna Kingdom, to mark the establishment of the city of Chiang Mai.
The center of the Lanna Kingdom's government was previously at Wiang Kumkam, which is located a few kilometers southeast of Chiang Mai's old city. Locals organize an annual celebration to pay homage to the pillar, the spirits pertaining to the pillar and the establishment of the city, while asking for peace and prosperity for Chiang Mai's inhabitants.
Historical Records
Within the temple compound are several other fascinating structures, such as the original ordination hall, which features traditional northern-style architecture. There another area that's home to a collection of Buddhist manuscripts and a museum, which presents the history of Chedi Luang.
The temple also has a reclining Buddha image that's 9 m in length and two viharas that were built to commemorate highly-revered monks based in the north of Thailand. The latter two structures referred to feature elegant tiered roofs and carved wooden gables, which are adorned with colored glass ornaments (see photo, right).
The temple also hosts a Monk Chat Club, which welcomes English-speaking visitors, who can learn more about dhamma, the daily lives of Buddhist monks and Thai culture with student monks who attend the Lanna Campus of Mahamakut Buddhist University, which is also located within the temple compound.
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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