Wat Phra That Lampang Luang Stupa

THAILAND, Lampang

The stupa is located at the center of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and is one of the most important structures in that temple. It is said that the stupa holds hair relics of the Buddha, which add to the sanctity and importance of the temple. The construction date of the stupa is unknown, but it has been established that it was enlarged in 1449, and again in 1496 to its present size.
The architecture of the stupa is in typical Lanna Thai style. It is 45 m high and square in layout. The towering base platform of the stupa is 24 m high with multiple corners. The walls are covered with gilded copper plates in the shape of diamonds with repoussé floral patterns, resulting in a delicate appearance. The base of the stupa consists of a series of diminishing circular layers topped with an upright lotus layer. It is surmounted by a body in the shape of an inverted bowl. The spire is in the form of stacked rings, rising sharply and ending with a multi-tier canopy. At each corner of the railings surrounding the temple there is a large filigree canopy.