10 Reasons To Visit Wat Chiang Man in Chiang Mai

The temple was built in 1297, more than 700 years ago. King Mangrai of Lanna Kingdom moved there when he started the construction of old Chiang Mai city and used the temple to camp and oversee the building process. Wat Chiang Man also houses several ancient artifacts that hold the utmost significance to Buddhism’s culture, religion, and history.

Chedi Chang Lom

There are several structures at Wat Chiang Man, one of them being the chedi, which is the oldest structure in the complex. A Chedi is a Buddhist Pagoda. It is said to be a monument built over mortal, cremated remains of a specific important person in the Buddhist religion. The Wat Chiang Man Chedi also holds the hair of a Buddha inside the chamber.

Visitors are not allowed to walk up the stairs or enter the chedi. The royal Chedi at Wat Chiang Man visually portrays every bit of history with its washed-out paint and ancient aesthetic. The design of the architecture originates from Sri Lankan and Lanna styles. It has a square foundation that supports its second tier, made with gray stone.

The second tier is surrounded by 15 elephants that look like they are emerging from the structure while supporting the upper layers of the chedi. The elephants serve as a representation of that idea because it means they are the guardians of the relics that the chedi holds. The top of the chedi is a beautiful golden stupa (vertical shaft) that stands tall, looking new, contrasting the lower layers.

Main Viharn

The Wat complex hosts two viharns. A viharn is a hall for worship and prayers. Everyone can enter the viharns, explore, learn, donate, and pray. The main viharn is also the older of the two temples. Additionally, it is the site where King Mangrai set up camp. The first thing you notice before entering the main viharn is the three-tiered roof and beautiful golden wood carvings.

The worship hall is stunning inside; however, it is a renovated version that occurred in the 1920s by the famous monk Khru Ba Srivichai. One of the significances of this old viharn is that it is home to the oldest Budhha image from Chiang Mai. The image features a standing Buddha holding an alms bowl with an inscription dating back to 1465.

Inside the Viharn, you can also find several Buddha statues in a line holding alms bowls with the days of the week names. You can place your donations inside the day of the week you visit or were born to serve as an offering for your prayers. The same concept is also found right outside the hall.

New Viharn

The second viharn is the newer structure to the north of the complex. It is smaller than the main worship hall but also holds a weight of significance. Nagas – mystical snakes – guard the entrance at the stairs. The new viharn has a two-tiered roof with wood carvings in gold and green.

The walls inside the new viharn are decorated with artwork that tells stories of the life of a Buddha. The paintings are colorful, intriguing, and soul-touching, with intricate details that will have you staring at them for longer than you realize.

Another feature inside the old worship hall is the sizeable central Buddha statue, in front of which prayers can be offered. The area also has other images and objects with signages of their significance.

Behind the large central Buddha, enclosed in a vault that looks like a massive throne, in which the two incredibly important relics are safely kept. The images are carved Buddhas, said to hold great power. The images are namely: Phra Sae Tang Khamani and Phra Sila Buddha.

Phra Sae Tang Khamani

This carved image belonged to queen Chamadevi from Lopburi. It survived the burning and destruction of Haripunchai by King Mangrai in 1281 and is since believed to have protective powers. Buddhists attribute its ability to protect them, their temple, and the city against disasters. It is better known as the Crystal Buddha because it was made from quartz crystal.

Phra Sae Tang Khamani, also known as Phra Setangamani, is believed to have been created in the year 200, making her over 1800 years old.

Phra Sila Buddha

The Phra Sila carved image is better known as the Marble Buddha. It is a bas-relief stele carved in stone. The image features a standing Buddha taming an elephant. This relic was believed to be created in Sri Lanka and is over a thousand years old.

Unfortunately, you can not see these ancient statues close up, as they are placed high, in a special glass box enclosed by a metal lattice. But you can see them from afar by following the sign on the territory of the Chiang Man temple, which is located next to the new viharn.

Buddhists believe the carved image holds the power to bring rain; therefore, it is the focus of the Songkran festival held from 1-5 April, at the end of the dry season.

Ubosot (Ordination Hall)

Like most Buddhist temples in Thailand, a structure next to or nearby called the Ubosot is common. It is an ordination hall for monks and is used for other religious rituals and prayers. Some temple Ubosots are open to visitors (males only), but Wat Chiang Man Ubosot provides no visitor access.

It is said that the Ubosot was restored in 1571, and during King Kawila’s reign in 1805, the current structure was constructed. A stone stele stands in front of the Ubosot and holds information about the foundation of Chiang Mai’s history. The inscription identifies the 12th of April 1296 as the founding year of Chiang Mai city.

Ho Trai (Temple Library)

The temple library was initially located between the main viharn and the chedi. It was later turned into a raised repository and placed in the middle of the lotus pond to protect the Buddhists’ scriptures, like palm leaf manuscripts, from floods, pesticides, and termites.

At the time of this writing, the bridge leading to the library, which is located in the middle of the monastery pond, is under reconstruction.

The bridge leading to the structure is not open, and visitors are not allowed access. But it is interesting to notice and realize how the monks preserve and protect their religious items. You can also catch sight of the fish in the pond while pondering the idea of a library on stilts.

Wat Chiang Man Garden

The serene garden is one of the many reasons people leave Wat Chiang Man complex with a feeling of love and healing. While walking from one structure to the next, you can admire the greenery of the grass, trees, and carved trees in the shapes of elephants. The garden is well-kept and clean and provides a peaceful environment.

You can enjoy time sitting on the grass and meditating or resting. There is even a tree with hanging boards featuring virtuous quotes and words of inspiration. You will undoubtedly end your visit to Wat Chiang Man with a sense of inner peace, healing energy, and beautiful pictures.

The Streets Of Chiang Mai

A genuine cultural, local, and immersive experience of northern Thailand must entail taking your time walking the streets of the towns. The Wat complex is located on the North East corner of the old walled town, within the city walls, in Amphoe Mueang, the capital district of Chiang Mai province.

The streets to and from Wat Chiang Man are an experience in itself and more reason to make your way to the temple complex. You can make short stops along the way to indulge in street food, local shopping, tasteful coffee, and awe at the graffiti on the walls.

Whether you rent a motorbike or journey on foot through the town, not taking advantage of what the street of Thailand offers and engaging with the locals will take away from the unique experience of understanding and enjoying local Thailand culture and tradition.

Summary

If you want an unforgettable, educational, significant encounter with the rich history of Buddhism and how the city of Chiang Mai came into existence, add Wat Chiang Man to your must-visit list of temples in northern Thailand.