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Wat Chiang Man, Chiangmai
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The oldest temple in Chiang Mai. Build in 1296 under King Mengrai even before the founding of the city. Rebuild many times but it's charm remains. It is noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses Phra Buddha Sila inside is a copy of the original Indian image brought here from Ceylon in 1290. The original is still kept inside but locked up. The big chedi in the back of the vihan dates from the 20th century.
How to get there: Situated at the north end of Ratchaphakkinai Road, almost opposite Wat lam Chang, next ot a fallow piece of land.
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Comment#
1
at:
2008-11-06 15:28:25
Comment by:
TT
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 Located within the walls of the old city, near the Chang Puak gate, Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. It was supposedly built by the founder of the city 700 years ago, King Mengrai, on the spot where he stayed while planning his new capital. It's a small temple, and not on the main tourist trail, but it was important for quite some time.
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Comment#
2
at:
2008-11-06 15:31:49
Comment by:
TT
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 The temple has two Lanna style viharn. The larger viharn was renovated by Khru Ba Srivichai in the 1920's.
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Comment#
3
at:
2008-11-06 15:34:58
Comment by:
TT
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 The wiharn itself appears to have been constructed around a sort of traditional Northern-style prang which houses the images. One image is a marble bas-relief Buddha supposed to have come from Sri Lanka 2,000 years ago. The second image is a crystal Buddha from Lopburi, and is thought to be about 1,800 years old.
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Comment#
4
at:
2008-11-06 15:36:41
Comment by:
TT
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 Beside the pagoda is the temple's library (ho trai), and next to that is the ordination hall (ubosot). The ubosot is usually closed to the public, but on one side of the porch you can see a stone tablet. It dates from the late sixteenth century and recounts the founding of Chiang Mai by King Mengrai in the thirteenth century.
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Comment#
5
at:
2008-11-06 15:41:28
Comment by:
TT
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 Behind the Wiharn is a large, gold-spired square pagoda supported by sixteen life-sized elephants. Do not miss an inspection of the whitewashed earthen wall that surrounds the wat. It sags precariously but somehow blends well with the glittering, colourful buildings and luxuriant foliage.
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Comment#
6
at:
2008-11-06 15:46:25
Comment by:
TT
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 The most extraordinary is the Phra Kaew Kao or Crystal Buddha made in Lavo (Lop Buri) in the 2nd century and Phra Nang Jamthevi brought to rest in Chiang Mai after journeys to Lamphun and Vientiane. It is believed to have the power to bring rain and therefore it is taken around the city in procession every year, if there is a drought, on the first of April. This image is kept in the abbot's residence and only a replica is displayed.
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Comment#
7
at:
2008-11-06 15:53:19
Comment by:
TT
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 Another buddha image, called Phra Sila Khoa, reflects the fine workmanship of Indian craftsmen from thousand of years ago.
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