Kruba Srivichai Monument (Lamphun) ‘The track of history and civilisation’
There are many places to learn history in Lamphun and Kruba Srivichai Monument is one of those.
At 11 June 1878, Kruba Srivichai was born in Banpang, Maetoen Sub-district, Lee District, Lumpoon. It was in the era of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). When he was 18 years old, he was ordained as a novice at Watbanpang. Then, when he was 21, he entered into Buddhist priesthood at Watbanhongluang, Banhong District, Lumphun and was given name as “Siriwichayopiku”. After ordaination, he went to study with KruBawupala at Watdoitae, Maeta District, Lumpoon. Then, he came back to Watbanpang again and was appointed abbot after KruBakat (his teacher during the time he was ordained as a novice) was dead. After that, he did a lot of beneficial things to villagers and villages. He was a great developer for Lanna people. Hence, Lumphn people are so proud that he was born in this city.
Kruba Srivichai was a Buddhist saint. He was perfectly well-known among Lanna people. He was a great example of simple living, as he himself lived simply, mercifully and thriftily. He even ate one meal a day. He didn’t eat meat also. Beside, he was the one who built the road up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a very famous temple in Chiang Mai Province. The interesting thing is, he built it without requiring any single Baht from government fund.
He was also strict about Lanna tradition so much that he was charged for 3 cases. However, that didn’t ruin his image of Buddhist saint at all. On the contrary, most people still respect him and truly believe that he was a true saint of Lanna.
Therefore, his monument was built, in the honour of him.
When you come to the temple, it looks like the gateway of the city and has sacred things protect. If you go upstairs, you will see the monastery. It has 2-layer roof and was carved in Thai style. At the back of the temple, there are pagodas and Buddha images. On the left area of this place, there is belfry. When you finish walking around, the main highlight of this place that you should go is Kruba Srivichai monument. Kruba Srivichai is sitting in the monument. It was built by cement. The height is 21 metre. The width is 18 metre. You can see it from far places. It is the highest Kruba Sri Wichai monument in the world.
Kruba Srivichai Monument is located on the opposite side of Suthewa Anchorite Monument. When you arrive at the area, you will see a large golden statue of himself. The statue is surrounded with white concret fence and located in the middle of empty land. You should go and pay respect to him for once in lifetime. The statue is a kind of landmark in Lamphun. It has been being respected by villagers all long.
How to get there
It’s not too far away from the heart of Lamphun. You just have to keep going along the road Chiang Mai-Lampang. If you want to visit this place, Kruba Srivichai Monument will open from 8.00 am. to 5.00pm.
Nearby Places
It’s only about 7.55 kilometres away from the monument. What inside the temple is perfectly fits its name. The word ‘yuen’ means ‘stand up’ in English. That’s right. You will see a golden statue of Lord Buddha in the standing manner inside a concrete vihara.
These temples contain elements of the original Hariphunchai architectural style, dating all the way back to the 12th century. Continue your tour at the Wat Chamadevi and appreciate the quaint and serene ambiance of this 10th-century temple.
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