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Lamphun - Wat Mahawan

Photo Gallery of Wat Mahawan 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.)

Wat Mahawan, explained that it was constructed in 657 A.D (1200 B.E.) by the queen Cham Thewi, the first ruler of Hariphunchai kingdom

Wat Mahawan, explained that it was constructed in 657 A.D (1200 B.E.) by the queen Cham Thewi, the first ruler of Hariphunchai kingdom, is located close to the center of Lamphun town, roughly speaking, in the middle between the royal temple Wat Phra That Haripunchai and the temple where ashes of the queen Chama Thewi are enshrined, Wat Cham Thewi.

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This temple is famous for the image of the Buddha seated under the Naga's hood which is believed to be Phra Phutta Sikkhi or Phra Sila Dam (The Black Stone Image) taken from Lawo (present Lopburi in the center of Thailand) by Phranang Chama Thewi, the first ruler of Haripunchai kingdom.

The image is currently known among the villagers as "Phra Rot Luang" or "Phra Rot Lamphun", which became a prototype for a famous repository of votive tablets known as "Phra Rot Mahawan". (Wow ! I didn't know that at all !) It looks like the image is in a chapel and was not seen in the main hall.

The temple prospered throughout many reigns. It was restored again when Prince Sapasit, son of Phraya Rodrad ordinated as a novice at this temple in B.E. 1420 (1077 AD). A big Buddha image in the temple was also cast at the time. An outstanding feature of this temple is a large chedi which was built to cover the old one.

Now, let's visit the temple. :D

Appearance of the main hall
Brilliant hall
Chedi and others.

[Wat Mahawan] Appearance of the main hall

Now, let's visit the main hall. This is a temple enshrining a statue which became a prototype for a famous repository of votive tablets known as "Phra Rot Mahawan". I hope all of your wishes will come true ! Of course, mine, too ! :D

In front of the main hall. Naga (God of Snake) protests the entrance.

Naga (God of Snake) ! Scary !?	Something bites Naga or Naga comes out from something's mouth. This can be seen often in Thai temples. What is it ?
Naga (God of Snake) ! Scary !? Something bites Naga or Naga comes out from something's mouth. This can be seen often in Thai temples. What is it ?

Something bites Naga or Naga comes out from something's mouth.	Decoration around the entrance.	Decoration of the roof. Dragons or Nagas ?
Something bites Naga or Naga comes out from something's mouth.	Decoration around the entrance. Elaborate. Buddhist paintings are painted.	Decoration of the roof. Dragons or Nagas ?

Side of the main hall. Decorated elaborately.	Side of the main hall. Decorated elaborately.	Stairs in the back. Maybe Naga (god of snake) but only one head.
Side of the main hall. Decorated elaborately.		Stairs in the back. Maybe Naga (god of snake) but only one head.

[Wat Mahawan] Brilliant hall

Inside the main hall, it's amazing. The base color is red and gold but it looks brilliant and beautiful. This interior reminded me of the main hall of Wat Chama Thewi but this was even more impressive.

Inside the main hall. Buddha statues are enshrined. Decorated in red and gold with Buddhist paintings. Very beautiful and impressive.
Inside the main hall. Buddha statues are enshrined. Decorated in red and gold with Buddhist paintings. Very beautiful and impressive.
The front of the Buddha images.	Is it the image seated under the Naga's hood believed to be Phra Phutta Sikkhi or Phra Sila Dam (The Black Stone Image) brought by Phranang Chama Thewi ? It looks like the image is in a chapel and this is a replica ?
The front of the Buddha images. There is a small Buddha statue in the center. Is it the image seated under the Naga's hood believed to be Phra Phutta Sikkhi or Phra Sila Dam (The Black Stone Image) brought by Phranang Chama Thewi ? It looks like the image is in a chapel and this is a replica ?

The decoration above the Buddha images. Each corner has a same figure, and others are zodiac signs ?	Decorated in red. It's not too much and looks very beautiful.	Chairs for monks.
The decoration above the Buddha images. Each corner has a same figure, and others are zodiac signs ?	Decorated in red. It's not too much and looks very beautiful.	Chairs for monks.

All walls are decorated with Buddhist paintings. They look vivid and still new, inside has just been renovated ?
All walls are decorated with Buddhist paintings. They look vivid and still new, inside has just been renovated ?
Side wall. All of it is decorated with Buddhist paintings as well.
Side wall. All of it is decorated with Buddhist paintings as well.

[Wat Mahawan] Chedi and others.

The temple has a golden chedi right behind the main hall. Is this the one built to cover an old chedi.

The chedi behind the main hall. Is the model for it the one in Wat Phrathat Haripunchai ?	The chedi behind the main hall. Is the model for it the one in Wat Phrathat Haripunchai ?
The chedi behind the main hall. Is the model for it the one in Wat Phrathat Haripunchai ?

A big umbrella. It looks Nagas (Snake Gods) support it.	Can it be called a bell house ? The upper floor housed a Buddha statue and the lower floor has a bell.	Is this the chapel where the image of the Buddha seated under the Naga's hood is currently enshrined ?
A big umbrella. It looks Nagas (Snake Gods) support it.	Can it be called a bell house ? The upper floor housed a Buddha statue and the lower floor has a bell.	Is this the chapel where the image of the Buddha seated under the Naga's hood is currently enshrined ?

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