Thailand Wat Phra That Lampang Luang: the unmissable temple near Lampang Lampang, Northern Provinces, Travel to Thailand 4.1 (9)Le most famous temple in Lampang is actually not located in the city itself, but some 15 km to the south. But by its name and importance, it is for me inseparable from a visit to Lampang, whose old town charm, is also definitely worth a look. Its foundation is said to date back to at least the 15th century, although legend has it that Buddha himself came to the site, donating a hair, to which he later added parts of a bone as a relic. That is why today, enshrined in the shelter of the temple's main chedi, the site is one of the most sacred in the country.Hence the name, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, which literally means the “ Temple of the Sacred Relics (of Buddha) of Lampang" Summary hide Historic landmark and Lanna architecture The main buildings making up the temple Viharn Luang The great chedi Viharn Phra Put Ubosot and Ho Phra Phutthabat Viharn Phra Sao Sila, Viharn Nam Tam and Viharn Ton Kaeo The museum and secondary buildings of the complex Pratical information Getting to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang Opening hours and prices Location of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang Historic landmark and Lanna architectureThe temple is one of the best examples of Lanna style architecture in Thailand. Its viharns, open on all sides, are typical of the old Lanna style, with a mixture of Thai Lü style. While some temples have been restored using modern materials and modern construction techniques, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang has been preserved in its original state.From the time of its foundation, one can admire in particular a statue of Buddha, placed in a chapel, a unique piece from a time when this part of Thailand was still called the kingdom of Lavo. The temple is located on a small artificial hill and could have also served as an outpost for the conquering Burmese, hence the fortified surrounding wall surrounding it. This wall surrounding the temple would therefore have been added at the beginning of the 17th century. Later, the local villagers, led by Thippachak, managed to retake the place from the Burmese, earning a statue on the side of the temple, in honor of the valiant local warrior.In front, you will come across horse-drawn carriages, which have become one of the symbols of Lampang. They were brought by the local governor from Bangkok around 1916, when the railway line reached Lampang. Used then as a means of transport and taxi, it has more recently become a tourist attraction in its own right (as much as it is criticized).If ever, a tour around the city starts at 200 baht and lasts about 30 minutes. If you want a longer ride, the fare is 300 baht / hour. But apart from Thais, I have never seen other tourists using them and that's good for these poor beasts.The main buildings making up the templeAlready upon arriving at the main car park, you will be immersed in the typical atmosphere of an important temple like this one, where a whole economy is formed around it. Several street vendors set up shop in the parking space, around a tree, the only source of shade. The others spread out in shops around the large car park, leaving enough to buy souvenirs and find something to eat, a small coffee and other small pleasures so characteristic of Thailand. You will even have several ATMs if you ever run out of cash.Before even heading to the main entrance, if you are curious, you can take a look at the secondary building which is located just opposite the parking lot, where several carriages are parked lined up along the wall. You will have there a typical example of a northern temple facade, loaded with decoration and color (gilding on a red background).An old man playing a traditional instrument in the temple parking lot.Secondary building opposite the main parking lot.If you turn back to the side, you will see a staircase on the left, which leads to the back part of the temple, where the museums are located (I will talk about them later). Here you have the statue of the local hero, mentioned above, as well as a sarong rental service. As with many temples in Thailand, it is necessary to cover your legs and shoulders (for ladies) before entering the complex. If you don't have anything to do, you can rent a sarong here for only 20 baht.Across from the complex is a pond, the history of which I don't really know, but I think is original, and not far to the left you see a roof protecting what was either the old local market. We are then in front of the steps leading up to the large elaborate entrance gate that gives access to the complex. The staircase is "classically" lined with Nagas, who are guarded by two lion statues on either side.View of the temple from the basin.The imposing staircase leading to the temple.Viharn LuangOnce at the top, you find yourself facing this imposing teak wood viharn, built in 1476, making it one of the oldest in Thailand.It has the particularity of being open on all sides. Except for the wooden panels under the roof, which can be called "walls" and which therefore contain magnificent murals representing the stories of the Buddha's past lives, but also some historical references. If you look closely, you will see figures wearing costumes of foreign powers. The reason being that these paintings are more recent and date from the 19th century, when Thailand already had several diplomatic relations with Europe and the US.Under the imposing three-story roof of the Viharn Luang, everything respects the Lanna style, starting with the pillars, decorated with lai kham, gold patterns on black lacquer. In the central space, we can see an open area with carpets on the floor for praying, in front of a golden structure, with elaborate reliefs. This is what is called a Ku, a kind of niche where important Buddha images are enshrined. Here, it is Phra Chao Lan Thong.This structure was not built at the same time as the viharn, but in 1563. It mixes the art styles of Chiang Saen and Sukhothai, which reveals the connection between the Lampang and Sukhothai kingdoms in the past.The great chediLocated behind the viharn is the imposing chedi, covered in bronze and copper sheets. The latter having resisted over the centuries, they have changed color to give this black hue. This chedi is probably the oldest structure in the temple, although it is not known exactly when it was built. But it is established that a structure already existed on this site before the addition of the current buildings. We also know the date on which it was enlarged and rebuilt, in 1449. It was enlarged again at the end of the XNUMXth century, reaching its current height of about 45 meters.According to legend, this stupa houses a hair of the Buddha. A particularly important relic making it Wat Phra That Lampang Luang one of the most revered temples in the kingdomMany faithful come here every day to go around it three times while praying (but I assure you, it is not packed with people every day).If you also go around, you will see a sign with an indication in English of what is supposed to be a bullet mark, evoking the "warlike" past of the place at the time of the Burmese invasion in the 17th century.Rear view of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and its chedi.A special feature of the temple is the possibility of making a donation to bless the chedi. You must then hang your ticket on a thread, itself connected to the chedi. Then you can raise a small basket under which there will be a bucket filled with holy water, which, once hoisted to the top of the chedi, will pour the holy water in question by pulley system.Otherwise, as is commonly found in temples in Thailand, you can write your wishes on a piece of fabric, or simply your first and last names, date, etc. This long orange-colored ribbon will then later be wrapped around the chedi.Viharn Phra PutNext to the chedi is the Viharn Phra Put, a smaller wooden viharn on a stone base with a two-tiered roof. This viharn was built more recently in 1802, replacing a much older structure. It is still supported by its original teak wood pillars. Its beautifully carved wooden façade is inlaid with colored glass mosaics.On each side you will see two small ox statues, as this temple was built in the year of the ox. It is therefore considered more auspicious for the natives of this sign and is considered as THE temple of beef in Thailand. Knowing that elsewhere in the country, you will find important chedis and temples corresponding to each of the 12 zodiac signs of the Chinese calendar.Inside, you will be greeted by the main image of Buddha, in his classic “taking the earth as witness” seated position. The latter, placed on a high pedestal in front of the entrance to the viharn, is 5 meters high. On the right, you will see some very realistic wax statues of monks. And in the corner, you will see something quite unusual ; a gap allows light to pass through, and at the same time, the chedi is reflected on a white surface like a photo on a negative (especially if it is full sun, in overcast weather it necessarily works less).Ubosot and Ho Phra PhutthabatAs you walk around the courtyard, and therefore the chedi, you will come across a group of other chapels. Starting with the most "visible" since the latter is on a stone base, accessible by a few steps. Ho Phra Phutthabat Chapel houses a small sculpture of a "footprint" of Buddha's footIt would also be the oldest structure in the temple, dating from the 13th century.If you read the small signs, you will then notice that the chapel is forbidden to women… After that you don't miss much in it, except that a gap above the old wooden door lets light through. This suddenly causes a phenomenon similar to Viharn Phra PutA white sheet occupies the entire cross section of the small interior and projects a beautiful inverted image of the chedi.Next to Viharn Phra Put, to the left of Ho Phra Phutthabat, is a small ubosot, also called an ordination hall. Also built towards the end of the 1924th century, the structure was completely renovated in XNUMX. It has a two-tiered roof and a beautifully gilded front façade.The ubosot.Viharn Phra Sao Sila, Viharn Nam Tam and Viharn Ton KaeoContinuing around the chedi, you will first pass in front of the viharn Phra Sao Sila, with a three-story roof. It is a viharn also "open" on the sides, displaying an architecture of a style announcing the beginnings of what would characterize the Lanna style. It was probably built in the 14th or 15th century. The front facade contains a Thewada figure (a kind of celestial being) and finely decorated with a dominant color gold but also blue.At the back, there is a group of Buddha statues, some of which must be valuable since they are behind a closed gate.The Phra Sao Sila viharn.The museum and secondary buildings of the complexOutside the main temple compound, to the left of the Viharn Phra Put, you can visit a whole other part of the temple. You will first come across a beautiful Bodhi tree, the sacred tree of Buddhism, right next to the fortification. You will not be able to miss it, because you will see a series of sticks placed at the foot of the latter and supporting its old branches.This is also where the monks' dwellings and the buildings for the temple administration are located. You also have three small museums, one of which requires a small snack.There are Buddhist ceremonial objects, coins and banknotes from different periods, different Buddha statues, art objects, but also ceramics and various manuscripts.Pratical informationGetting to Wat Phra That Lampang LuangTo get there (see map below), you have to take either a songthaew by privatizing it, or a taxi from the center of Lampang. Unfortunately, there is no public transport to get to the village where the temple is located. There are 15 km separating the temple from the city center so allow about twenty minutes for the journey. The cost should be around 200-300 baht logically.Opening hours and pricesThe doors of the temple are opened 7:30am to 17:00pm, every day. A rare occurrence for a monument of this importance, access is free ! Obviously a donation is always appreciated, but it is not obligatory and failing that, the amount remains at your discretion and not imposed.Location of Wat Phra That Lampang LuangDid you like the article? share on Pinterest! Did you like the article? Vote on the article Note globale 4.1 / 5. Number of votes: 9 No votes yet. Be the first to rate this article! Did you like the article? Follow me on social media Culture and traditions Buddhist temple 0 2 Roman 08/08/2020
