Wat Chedi Liam

THAILAND, Chiang Mai

Wat Chedi Liam means the Temple of the Square Stupa. Its original name was Wat Ku Kham and it was one of the most important temples in the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam. It was constructed by King Mangrai (reigned 1296–1317) of Lanna in 1299. It was renovated in 1908 by a Burmese devotee and renovated again in 1992.
The main structure of the temple is the Thai-style stupa. It was modeled after the Mahapol Chedi in Wat Ku Kut in Lamphun, but its carvings are more elaborate with Burmese additions. Built in the Dvaravati style, the stupa resembles a tall, slender pyramid. The stupa is square in layout, with guardian lion statues placed at the four corners of the base platform. The stupa body consists of five square tiers rising sharply to form a pyramid. At the corners of each tier there are miniature stupas, which gradually reduce in size. On each side of every tier there are three arched niches, each of which houses a standing Buddha statue. All the Buddha statues on each tier are perform the same mudras but the mudras vary from tier to tier. The arches of the niches on the second and third tiers are engraved with images of makaras, while those of the remaining tiers are carved with floral patterns. The spire tapers sharply, finishing at the top with a Burmese canopy.