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Lamphun - Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai

Photo Gallery of Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai (or Wat Phra that Haripunchai) in Lamphun, Northern Thailand.
(Lamphun is one of the oldest cities in Thailand and is well-known as the first royal city of Northern Thailand. It was called "Haripunchai" and flourished for a long time. The town is very peaceful, situated along Kuang River (tributary of Ping River), about 30 kilometers and about 30 minutes by car from Chiang Mai, the major city in northern part.)

The entrance of Wat Phra That Haripunchai. Two lions protect the temple.

Wat Phra That Haripunchai is a royal temple, located in the center of the town in Lamphun province. It was constructed in 1108 A.D (some say 1157 A.D) in the reign of King Athittayarat (or Arthitayarat) who was the successor of Queen Chamathewi of Hariphunchai Kingdom.

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Wat Phra That Hariphunchai used to be King Athittayarat's palace. In the palace compound, there has been 2 layers of walls, the inner and the outer walls. Later, he offered his palace to be Buddhist monastery and the outer wall was demolished, then a couple of lion sculptures with open mouths were put next to the east door.

The temple has a huge pagoda, Phrathat Haripunchai or Phra Borommathat Haripunchai, the first pagoda which contained the remains of Buddha (Buddha's hair) in the North of Thailand. Traditionally, every king of Hariphunchai dynasty must worship the pagoda before the coronation. Even Tibetan monks of Himalaya had to come and worship this pagoda of Haripunchai or Hariphunchai annually as well. That is, the pagoda was greatly influential and Lamphun was the center of Buddhism in the vast area; in Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan river basins as well as in Khong and Salawin river basins.

The pagoda at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is especially recognized as the oldest pagoda and was praised by King Rama IV who stated that it was one of the eight famous pagodas in Thailand.
(Hmm, where are the other seven pagodas ... ?)
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is the pagoda for those who were born in the year of chicken.

There is a big bell in the temple ground. It's said to be the biggest one in the world.
(I guess the bell in another temple, Wat PhraPhutthabat Tak Pha, in Lamphun is bigger.)
(Every full moon day of the sixth lunar month, there is temple fair.)

Now, let's go and check with me ! :D
(By the way, I already visited this temple 3 or 4 times while I didn't notice it.)

Hurry to the temple !
The main hall
The huge chedi
A quiet chedi
Other buildings behind the chedi
Temple ground

[Wat Phrathat Haripunchai] Hurry to the temple !

A pair of lions are waiting for your visit in front of the entrance.

Now, we are in front of the temple, Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai. The two lions are waiting for your visit. When I visited here for the first time, I was very surprised because the scale of the temple was beyond my imagination. I clearly remember that I enjoyed walking around in this temple very much.
Now your turn. What kind of impression will this temple give you ? :D

The entrance is over there in this picture.	You see how big the entrance and the lions are, comparing to someone walking on the left.
The entrance is over there in this picture.	You see how big the entrance and the lions are, comparing to someone walking on the left.

The temple sign, Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai.	The profile of the lion protecting the entrance of the temple. Cool but something like grasses in his mouth. ....	ライオンの足元に飾られていた鶏の像。大きな仏塔は酉年生まれの人用だからかな？
The temple sign, Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai.	The profile of the lion protecting the entrance of the temple. Cool but something like grasses in his mouth. ....	Chicken is around the foot of the lion. Is this because the big pagoda in this temple is for those who were born in the year of chicken ?

参拝用の線香やお花を売ってます。	Of course, you'll see some gift shops around.	Reclining Buddha
Flowers and incense sticks for praying are sold.	Of course, you'll see some gift shops around.	Reclining Buddha

Very spacious in front of the temple.	Very spacious in front of the temple.
Very spacious in front of the temple.

[Wat Phrathat Haripunchai] The main hall

Right after passing the entrance, you'll see the magnificent main hall.

This is a main hall. The huge chedi is right behind the building.

This is a main hall. The huge chedi is right behind the building. This style can be seen very often in temples in Thailand.

Beautiful Buddhist painting above the front door.
Beautiful Buddhist painting above the front door.
Inside the main hall. Buddha statues in the back and some visitors are praying.
Inside the main hall. Buddha statues in the back and some visitors are praying.
Close-up. There are a lot of Buddha statues in front of the big image.	Chairs for monks in a row.
Close-up. There are a lot of Buddha statues in front of the big image.	Chairs for monks in a row.
Buddhist paintings all over the wall.
Buddhist paintings all over the wall.

Backside of the main hall. Buddhist painting is painted here as well.	I don't remember well but this is the side of the main hall.	A path on the side of the building.
Backside of the main hall. Buddhist painting is painted here as well.	I don't remember well but this is the side of the main hall.	A path on the side of the building.

The huge chedi stands right behind of the main hall. A lot of Buddha images are enshrined here. A lot of visitors pray here as well.
The huge chedi stands right behind of the main hall. A lot of Buddha images are enshrined here. A lot of visitors pray here as well.

[Wat Phrathat Haripunchai] The huge chedi

Behind the main hall, you'll see a huge chedi.

It's called Phrathat Haripunchai or Phra Borommathat Haripunchai, the first pagoda which contained the remains of Buddha (Buddha's hair) in the North of Thailand. Traditionally, every king of Hariphunchai dynasty must worship the pagoda before the coronation. Even Tibetan monks of Himalaya had to come and worship this pagoda of Haripunchai or Hariphunchai annually as well.
The chedi of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai was modeled after it.

Very exiting ! Now, let's check it out !

Phrathat Haripunchai, the first pagoda which contained the remains of Buddha (Buddha's hair) in the North of Thailand. Traditionally, every king of Hariphunchai dynasty must worship the pagoda before the coronation.
The huge chedi Phrathat Haripunchai, the first pagoda which contained the remains of Buddha (Buddha's hair) in the North of Thailand. Traditionally, every king of Hariphunchai dynasty must worship the pagoda before the coronation. It looks very splendid and huge !
The pagoda is 46m high, the base is square shaped with sides of 20m It has a nine-tiered umbrella, made of gold weighing approximately 6.5kg (14lbs).
The pagoda is 46m high, the base is square shaped with sides of 20m It has a nine-tiered umbrella, made of gold weighing approximately 6.5kg (14lbs). Waaaoo. (1kg gold is about 45,000 dollars. (as of Feb, 2014). So, 6.5kg is ... ?)
Visitors walk around the chedi while praying.	Buddha images are enshrined at each side of the base.
People praying Visitors walk around the chedi while praying.	Buddha images at the each side. Buddha images are enshrined at each side of the base.
This is a view from the direction of the entrance to the back side. On the right is the chedi, on the left is a hall, and a museum is in the back.
Scenery around the chedi This is a view from the direction of the entrance to the back side. On the right is the chedi, on the left is a hall, and a museum is in the back.
A view of the main hall from the chedi. If it's a fine day, the scenery is perfectly great.
From the chedi A view of the main hall from the chedi. If it's a fine day, the scenery is perfectly great.

The space between the chedi and the main hall. A lot of people come and pray here.	They put candles and incense sticks in front of Buddha images, and pray.
Visitors The space between the chedi and the main hall. A lot of people come and pray here.	Praying They put candles and incense sticks in front of Buddha images, and pray.
Is this image a guardian for the huge chedi ? It's enshrined at a corner of the base.	Decorated chicken It's well decorated. Is this because the huge pagoda is for those who were born in the year of chicken ?
Guardians for the chedi Is this image a guardian for the huge chedi ? It's enshrined at a corner of the base.
A very tall umbrella that you'll see often in a temple.
Very tall umbrella A very tall umbrella that you'll see often in a temple.	Decorated chicken It's well decorated. Is this because the huge pagoda is for those who were born in the year of chicken ?

Yellow flag - For Buddhism ?	Boards under Buddha images enshrined at each side of the chedi.	A lot of flowers and plants in a small pot are in rows.
Yellow flag For Buddhism ?	Boards under Buddha images Boards under Buddha images enshrined at each side of the chedi.	Offerings A lot of flowers and plants in a small pot are in rows.

[Wat Phrathat Haripunchai] A quiet chedi

A calm and quiet chedi stand next to the huge chedi.

A calm and quite chedi stand next to the huge chedi.

Compared to the huge chedi, Phrathat Haripunchai, this one is smaller but it looks to have a long history.
The stepped pyramid style reminds me of the well-known chedi, Kukut, in Wat Cham Thewi. In fact, the Kukut was a model for this chedi. You'll see the explanation at Wat Cham Thewi.

A shot in the direction of the entrance.	Buddha images
Lower part of the chedi A shot in the direction of the entrance.	Buddha images
When this chedi was built, each of all niches enshrined a Buddha statue but almost nothing can be seen nowadays.	The bottom level has a golden Buddha statue that looks still new.
When this chedi was built, each of all niches enshrined a Buddha statue but almost nothing can be seen nowadays. The bottom level has a golden Buddha statue that looks still new.

[Wat Phrathat Haripunchai] Other buildings behind the chedi

This temple has a lot of buildings as well as the main hall. You'll see them behind the chedi.

This is a museum, I've never entered, though. The board shows "50th anniversary Bank of Ayudhaya PCL. Museum BLD."	Next to the museum, other hall enshrining Buddha statues.
This is a museum, I've never entered, though. The board shows "50th anniversary Bank of Ayudhaya PCL. Museum BLD."	Next to the museum, other hall enshrining Buddha statues.

Same as the main hall, the entrance is decorated with Buddhist paintings.	Buddha statues with various styles of mudra (hand gestures) are housed.	A view in the direction of the museum.
Same as the main hall, the entrance is decorated with Buddhist paintings.	Buddha statues with various styles of mudra (hand gestures) are housed.	A view toward museum from this building.

A view of the huge chedi, Phrathat Haripunchai from this hall. Looking back from this hall to the chedi.
A view of the huge chedi, Phrathat Haripunchai from this hall. Looking back from this hall to the chedi.

[Wat Phrathat Haripunchai] Another hall next to the chedi

There is another chedi next to the chedi.

The front of the hall.	Buddhist painting as other halls.
The front of the hall.	Buddhist painting as other halls.
Buddha statues enshrined.
Buddha statues enshrined.

Decoration you'll see often in Northern Thailand.	Ceiling.	A chair for a monk ?
Decoration you'll see often in Northern Thailand.	Ceiling.	A chair for a monk ?

[Wat Phrathat Haripunchai] Temple ground

The last part is, sceneries of the temple ground. It's very wide and spacious. Not only the main hall and the chedi, there are other buildings and something else to see.

A scenery in the temple ground. The entrance of the temple is over there.
A scenery in the temple ground. The entrance of the temple is over there.
Against the temple entrance, this is a view of the right side of the main hall. There is a wide space and a lot of buildings can be seen around.
Against the temple entrance, this is a view of the right side of the main hall. There is a wide space and a lot of buildings can be seen around.

White Buddha images. This is the first time for me to see these images though I visited this temple a few times.	Buddha footprint. Very big. :D
White Buddha images. This is the first time for me to see these images though I visited this temple a few times.	Buddha footprint. Very big. :D
Khao Phra Sumen Khao Phra Sumen was built according to the belief of the universe and the center of the earth. It is believed that it was introduced to Lanna Kingdom along with the arrival of Sri Lanka Buddhism.	Kind of a small building. A replica of the main hall ?
Khao Phra Sumen Khao Phra Sumen was built according to the belief of the universe and the center of the earth. It is believed that it was introduced to Lanna Kingdom along with the arrival of Sri Lanka Buddhism.	Kind of a small building. A replica of the main hall ?
The reddish building in the temple ground has a large bronze moon-shaped bell.	The bell was cast in B.E. 2403 (1860 A.D.) at Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai, as an offering to worship the Buddha relic in Phrathat Hariphunchai Stupa.
The reddish building in the temple ground has a large bronze moon-shaped bell. The bell was cast in B.E. 2403 (1860 A.D.) at Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai, as an offering to worship the Buddha relic in Phrathat Hariphunchai Stupa in Lamphun. (It's said that the bell weighs 729,000 tumlueng (1 tumlueng is equal to 60 grams). That is, about 43,000 Kg ???? Something is wrong...)

Buddha images for each day of the week.	The image in the center.	Sayings of world famous people about Buddhism are displayed such as Einstein, the theory of relativity.
Buddha images for each day of the week Buddha images for each day of the week are enshrined. Sayings of world famous people about Buddhism are displayed such as Einstein, the theory of relativity. Interesting.
Another bell near the chedi.	Door decoration.	Drums.
Another bell near the chedi.	Door decoration.	Drums.

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