Wat Chiang Man
Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and is located on Ratchaphakinai Road.
General Information
King Mengrai built Wat Chiang Man in 1296, before the city itself was founded, and apparently lived here until his palace was built. The repeatedly restored wihan has retained its original form: the two-tiered roof, decorated with nagas with their tongues sticking out, widens slightly downwards.
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On the portal side, the visitor’s attention is attracted by the skillful carving of the pediment. The entrance is flanked by two lions. A plaque with an inscription in Northern Thai script marks the place where King Mengrai is said to have died in 1317.
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The interior of the vihan is divided by rows of teak columns into three parts. Of the Buddha figures, a large gilded statue is particularly notable, as well as a bas-relief of Phra Sila, kept by the abbot of the monastery and only once a year shown to the faithful in a festive ceremony. The bas-relief dates from the 8th century and was created, judging by the style, in Ceylon. It is attributed with the ability to bring rain. The abbot also keeps the Phra-Se-Tang-Khamani (Crystal Buddha). This rock crystal statuette, believed to have been presented to Queen Haripunchayi Chamathevi in 663, stands on a golden pedestal. In 1281, it became the trophy of King Mengrai who conquered Haripunchaya.
.The Chiang Man wata complex also includes a chedi with a base of fifteen elephant figures, a small bot and a modern sala.
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