Wat Mahathat Chedi Sri Wiangchai ‘The large pagoda in the middle of empty lot’
Speaking of traditional architectures in Lamphun, surely the list will be very long. You may not be able to observe all of them, as there are a lot. However, if you want a suggestion of where you can go, then how about this place?
Wat Mahathat Chedi Sri Wiangchai is an important architecture of Lanna style. Its pagoda is the biggest one in Thailand, with the base of about 1,600 square metres. It look sparkling in golden color too. The whole pagoda is made of laterite. It was built in the year 1995 by Kruba Chaya Wongsapattana, a famous monk from northern Thailand. The main idea was about letting people pay respect to it. However, the monk had passed away before the pagoda was finishes. Later, in the next 5 years, his followers resumed the work and, finally, the pagoda was finished in the year 2006 and bestowed upon King Bhumibol.
Before the Pagoda was built, the venerable monk Kru Ba ChaiyaWongsa had found cow’s dung of Buddha when had been reincarnated as Bodhisattva’s cow. Then, the dung became relics of Lord Buddha the monk decided to establish the pagoda covering this area. Because he’s afraid that villagers might build their own houses here. The Supreme Patriarch named the pagoda.
The area of the Mahathat Chedi Sri Wiangchai temple is very large. You will find the monument of Kru Ba Chaiya Wongsa at the entrance. In addition, there is the Mahathatpagoda of Sri Wiang Chai where was built in orderto be the first pagoda of 5 Buddhas of Thailand (the second pagoda of the world). The structure of pagoda is similar to the Shwedagon Pagoda of Myanmar that was built in Lanna style with laterite. Its height is 64.39metres on the 40 x 40 metresbasement, so it became the biggest pagoda of Thailand. The pagoda is surrounded with 5 large statues of Buddha. Moreover, according to Sri Lanka style the pagoda is surrounded with 48 small pagodas.
Now, you will want to visit this temple. First, you will want to see this pagoda. Just walk on the large empty concrete lot and you will find the pagoda on the other side.
Beside of the pagoda, you can walk around the temple to see many other architectures too. Most of the architectures are covered in yellow and golden tones.
How to get there
Wat Mahathat Chedi Sri Wiangchai is located near Phra Buddha Bhat Huai Tom. Therefore, just use the same route. That means, you have to go along the Highway No.106 to reach Lye County along 46-47th kilometre go straight about 5 kilometres to the temple. It opens from 8.00 to 16.30 daily.
Nearby Places
Wat Phra Bat Huay Tom is another temple in Lamphun that houses the footprint of Lord Buddha. It is housed inside the vihara which KrubaChaiyaWongsaPattana had it constructed. The temple is flocked by tourists coming to visit the footprint everyday.
You can reach this temple within 2 minutes. Just go and take a look at the golden pagoda, which is decorated in Lanna style. Admire other architectures too. There are many of them around the temple.
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