Wat Phra Singh

THAILAND, Chiang Mai

Wat Phra Singh means Temple of the Lion Buddha. Its original name was Wat Lichiang Phra. It is the largest and most important temple in Chiang Mai. It is a first class royal temple with the full name of Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn. In 1345 King Pha Yu (reigned 1336–1355) of Lanna Thai erected a stupa at this place. A few years later, the Gold Patterned Hall was added. In 1367, a Buddha statue named Phra Singh Buddha was enshrined at the temple, resulting in the temple’s present name. In 1477 the sutra repository was built. In the 18th century the temple fell into disrepair; however, the stupa and the ordination hall were rebuilt in the late 18th century. In the 1920s the temple was completely restored and the Buddha hall was built to replace the original hall.
The buildings in the temple include the Buddha hall, ordination hall, stupa, Reclining Buddha Hall, bell tower, Gold Patterned Hall, sutra repository, and pavilion. Of these, the sutra repository and the Gold Patterned Hall are of particular interest. Both buildings have been well-preserved. The sutra repository is built in wood on a very high stuccoed brick base, which is painted white and decorated with fine reliefs of heavenly beings. The portico is very large and its pediment is covered with glass mosaic and gilded lacquer, resulting in a glimmering effect against the white base and red walls. The steep stairs in front of the entrance are flanked by balustrades, which feature a pair of standing stone lions emerging from the jaws of makaras with long bodies.
The architecture of the Gold Patterned Hall is typical of the Lanna Thai style, with its multi-sectioned roof, double eaves, and pediments consisting of rectangular panels. The ridge ends are decorated with garudas, and the bargeboards have naga scales running along them and end in naga heads. Between the columns of the entrance, there are the elegant curves of the eyebrow pattern. The stairway leading to the entrance is bounded by naga balustrades culminating in prominent stone sculptures of naga heads. The hall contains the famous and highly revered Phra Singh Buddha, a seated Buddha image in gilt bronze with hands in bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The most impressive Jataka murals in northern Thailand can be found within. Due to their skillful yet natural representation, they are highly regarded for their rarity and artistic value.