Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong Worawihan

Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong Worawihan or Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong is a temple that has been a symbol of Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province for a long time since 1995. It is very important in Buddhism because it is the location of the relics of the Lord Buddha, Phra Thakkhinamolithat (right head). According to legend, Doi Chom Thong has been around since the time of the Buddha. At that time, the Buddha had a prophecy with Phraya Angkrattha, the ruler of Angkrattha, which was located near Doi Chom Thong, that in the future, this place would be the place where his relics would be enshrined. After that, there were many stories about the invitation of the relics to Doi Chom Thong. Although historically, Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong was built in the 20th Buddhist century, the art in the temple is from the 24th Buddhist century, which was the period of Chiang Mai's urban renewal. Until in 1963, this temple was granted the status of a third-class royal temple, Worawihan type. Let's start with the most important point in the temple, which is the Phra Wihan Luang (Phra Wihan Chaturamuk), which enshrines the relics of the Lord Buddha. Normally, other relics are enshrined in stupas or pagodas, but the relics are enshrined in a urn inside the castle pavilion in the Phra Wihan Luang, which is very close to Buddhists. The relics are about the size of a corn kernel, with a smooth, round base and a creamy white color. Next is the Ubosot, with a beautifully gilded gable. Inside the Ubosot are three Buddha images made of carved wood. The principal Buddha image is in the attitude of offering eyes, which is different from other Lanna Ubosots. There are also murals telling the legend of Phra That Si Chom Thong and the various levels of heaven. Although it is an interesting point and worth visiting to pay homage at least once, because the entrance door has sacred objects buried according to Lanna tradition, women are not allowed to go up to the Ubosot. Walk around to the back of the chapel and you will find the Tripitaka Hall, a two-story building for storing the Tripitaka. This building was renovated in 1991 and completed in 1993. Next is the minor chedi or Phra That Noi, built alongside the main chedi. It is assumed that this chedi is around 300 years old. It was built by the Burmese when they ruled Chiang Mai, so it has a Mon-Burmese style.