Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang
The Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang ( Thai วัด พระ ธาตุ ลำปาง หลวง ) is a Buddhist temple complex ( Wat ) in the district ( Amphoe ) Ko Kha , Lampang Province in northern Thailand . It is considered to be one of the most fascinating temples in Thailand .
location
Wat Prathat Lampang Luang is located about 18 kilometers southwest of Lampang on a hill and overlooks the area from there. Since it is surrounded by high walls, the temple served as a Wiang (northern Thai "protective castle") in times of need .
Building history
It is said that Queen Chamadevi was the founder of Wat Prathat Lampang Luang in the 7th century .
Attractions
A Naga staircases are leading to the monumental main portal, but is usually closed. A bezel above the gate is decorated with the Buddhist wheel of the law and shows stylish Devada figures painted with gold on red lacquer on the door leaves.
A smaller entrance in the southern wall leads to a bodhi tree on the way to the temple's sacred area , which is supported by hundreds of carved or painted stakes. They have been donated by believers who want to acquire religious merit ( tam bun ) through them.
There is a gallery ( Phra Rabieng ) on the inside of the wall that surrounds the entire sacral area . The area of the sacred buildings creates a harmonious impression with its pretty old roofs and impressive carvings, it is covered with sand as a symbol of the world ocean from which the central mountain Meru (represented here by the chedi) protrudes.
- The center of the courtyard is a sacred chedi , the multi-segmented base of which is covered by copper plates. The gilded structure rises to an Hti known from Burma .
- The chedi is surrounded by five wihan :
- the "Wihan Luang" is next to the chedi the largest building in the temple precinct. It faces the main portal to the east and probably dates from the 13th century. As is customary in Lanna temples, it was built as an open hall without walls. Today it carries a deep, three-tiered roof on concrete pillars where wooden pillars used to stand. In the back part of a gilded Ku (similar to a sacrament house ) is the Buddha statue of Phra Chao Lan Thong, which was cast in 1563.
- To the north of the Wihan Luang is the small “Wihan Ton Kaeo” (size: 6.5 meters × 15 meters), which in 1967 was not very well restored using a concrete structure.
- North of the chedi is a similarly designed Wihan, the "Wihan Nam Taem". It dates from the year 1501. Old wall paintings can hardly be made out inside today.
- To the west of the Chedi is the "Wihan Phra Sao Sila" also called "Wihan Chamathewi". This Wihan is said to have been erected by Chamathewi's father around 657 to house a stone Buddha image that stands in a ku (similar to a sacrament house ) inside.
- On the south side of the chedi is the small “Wihan Phra Phut”, which is 10 meters by 22.5 meters. It is said to be over 700 years old. It has balanced proportions and a very pretty interior that houses a Buddha in northern Thai style.
- In the south-western corner of the site is probably the most beautiful building, the just 6.5 x 14.5 meter large bot from the middle of the 15th century, which is kept simple.
- The Mondop also in the southwest of the complex contains a footprint of the Buddha and dates back to 1149.
In Thai popular belief, Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang is associated with the Chinese zodiac sign of the ox. That is why people born in the year of the ox like to make pilgrimages here.
swell
- Brochure ตำนาน พระบรม ธาตุ ลำปาง หลวง ( Tamnan Phra Boromathat Lampang Luang ). Lampang 2544, available in the temple itself.
literature
- Michael Freeman: Lanna - Thailand's Northern Kingdom . River Books, Bangkok 2001, ISBN 0-500-97602-3
- Clarence Aasen: Architecture of Siam: A Cultural History and Interpretation . Oxford: Oxford University Press 1998. ISBN 983-56-0027-9 .
Web links
Coordinates: 18 ° 13 ′ 3.1 ″ N , 99 ° 23 ′ 20.5 ″ E