Wat Phrathat Haripunchai is one of the most famous (and most holy) temple complexes in the north. It is said to have been founded by queen Chamathewi in the grounds of her palace, sometime in the 8th century CE.
The temple grounds are quite extensive, with many interesting structures. I find it a most peaceful place, even compared with the temples of Chiang Mai. Last time I was there, I saw only three or four tourists - there was a tour bus parked outside, but perhaps they were elsewhere, buying souvenirs.
Buses from Chiang Mai drop off passengers at the rear entrance to the temple, on Inthayongyot Road, though this tour starts at the main gate on the opposite, southeasterly side.
I noticed last time I visited (August 2005) that if you face the temple from in front of the lion gates, the spires of the gate arch, the main Wiharn and the central Chedi almost line up, but not quite. The skills of the Lan Na temple builders were extraordinary, so I suspect that the cause of the mis-alignment may be seismic rather than human - the area around Chiang Mai is, after all, on the same fault line that triggered the tsunami of December 2004; the curtailing of the Suwana Chedi at Wat Chamathevi and Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai were also due to earthquakes.
Directly behind the splendid Lion Gates is the central Wiharn which contains Phra Chao Thongtip, an enormous Chiang Saen style Buddha figure that is only just contained by the Wiharn.
Bell Tower
To the left of the Wiharn is a sala which houses a reclining Buddha, and to the right the Bell Tower with a smallish bell, and more noticeably, an enormous bronze gong.
Behind the central Wiharn is the ancient much revered Chedi, Phra Borommathat Haripunchai pictured earlier in the page, the religious center of the temple. The Tourism Authority of Thailand gives the height of the chedi as 46m and places the origin about a thousand years ago, with a major restoration in the 15th century giving it its present shape.
At each corner of the square pedestal are curious Mon style Buddha figures and in the center of each side a shrine to the Buddha. The area around the shrines is fenced off and notices request women not to enter the enclosed section. Many Thais make merit at the shrines, and for good luck may walk around the chedi three times clockwise.
At the eastern end of the complex is the Wiharn Phra Jao Than Jai and next to it the temple museum. The Wiharn houses a crowned Lanna style Buddha figure (Phra Jao Than Jai) with a line of yellow robed Buddhas standing behind. On the walls are a series of murals, including graphic representations of heaven and hell.
Phra Jao Than Jai
To the right of the Wiharn is an old red-brick stepped chedi, similar in style to the Suwana Chedi at Wat Chamathevi. Seated Chiang Saen style Buddha figures are placed at each corner, but I particularly like the small figure of a smiling Chinese monk, sitting on the southerly side, fingering his beads.
Finally, to the south of the Chedi is a Mondop covering a large Buddha footprint set.
How to get there
Phrathat Hariphunchai is located close to Methi Wuttikorn School on Inthayongyot Road, Nai Mueang Sub-district, Mueang Lamphun District, Lamphun Province. For further details, please contact Tel. 0 5351 1104 or at “http://www.hariphunchailemple.org/”
Read more details
The temple grounds are quite extensive, with many interesting structures. I find it a most peaceful place, even compared with the temples of Chiang Mai. Last time I was there, I saw only three or four tourists - there was a tour bus parked outside, but perhaps they were elsewhere, buying souvenirs.
Buses from Chiang Mai drop off passengers at the rear entrance to the temple, on Inthayongyot Road, though this tour starts at the main gate on the opposite, southeasterly side.
I noticed last time I visited (August 2005) that if you face the temple from in front of the lion gates, the spires of the gate arch, the main Wiharn and the central Chedi almost line up, but not quite. The skills of the Lan Na temple builders were extraordinary, so I suspect that the cause of the mis-alignment may be seismic rather than human - the area around Chiang Mai is, after all, on the same fault line that triggered the tsunami of December 2004; the curtailing of the Suwana Chedi at Wat Chamathevi and Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai were also due to earthquakes.
Directly behind the splendid Lion Gates is the central Wiharn which contains Phra Chao Thongtip, an enormous Chiang Saen style Buddha figure that is only just contained by the Wiharn.
Bell TowerBehind the central Wiharn is the ancient much revered Chedi, Phra Borommathat Haripunchai pictured earlier in the page, the religious center of the temple. The Tourism Authority of Thailand gives the height of the chedi as 46m and places the origin about a thousand years ago, with a major restoration in the 15th century giving it its present shape.
At each corner of the square pedestal are curious Mon style Buddha figures and in the center of each side a shrine to the Buddha. The area around the shrines is fenced off and notices request women not to enter the enclosed section. Many Thais make merit at the shrines, and for good luck may walk around the chedi three times clockwise.
At the eastern end of the complex is the Wiharn Phra Jao Than Jai and next to it the temple museum. The Wiharn houses a crowned Lanna style Buddha figure (Phra Jao Than Jai) with a line of yellow robed Buddhas standing behind. On the walls are a series of murals, including graphic representations of heaven and hell.
Phra Jao Than JaiFinally, to the south of the Chedi is a Mondop covering a large Buddha footprint set.
How to get there
Phrathat Hariphunchai is located close to Methi Wuttikorn School on Inthayongyot Road, Nai Mueang Sub-district, Mueang Lamphun District, Lamphun Province. For further details, please contact Tel. 0 5351 1104 or at “http://www.hariphunchailemple.org/”
Read more details
http://www.thailandbytrain.com/Lamphun.html
No comments:
Post a Comment