Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang
The Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang ( Thai วัด พระ ธาตุ ลำปาง หลวง ) is a Buddhist temple ( wat ) in the district ( Amphoe ) Ko Kha, Lampang province in northern Thailand. He is considered one of the most fascinating temples of Thailand.
Location
Wat Lampang Luang Prathat is located about 18 kilometers southwest of Lampang on a hill and overlooks the surroundings from there. Since it is surrounded by high walls, the temple served in times of need as Wiang ( Northern Thai "Protection castle ").
Architectural History
Supposedly the Queen Chamadevi was founder of Wat Lampang Luang Prathat in the 7th century.
Attractions
A Naga staircase leads to the monumental main entrance, however, this is usually closed. A lunette above the door is decorated with the Buddhist Gesetzesrad and shows stylish, painted with gold paint on red Devada figurine on the door wings.
About a smaller entrance in the south wall leads on the way to the sacred precincts of the temple to a Bodhi tree, which is supported by hundreds of carved or painted posts. They have been donated by the faithful who wish to acquire religious merit by itself.
On the inside of the wall that surrounds the entire sacral region, there is a gallery ( Phra Rabieng ). The range of religious buildings creates a harmonious impression, it is covered with sand as a symbol of the world ocean, from which protrudes ( here represented by the chedi ) of the central mountain Meru, with its charming old roofs and the impressive carvings.
- Center of the courtyard is a sacred chedi, which often articulated base is covered with copper plates. The gold-plated building rises to a Hti, which is known from Burma.
- The chedi is surrounded by five viharn: the " Viharn Luang " is next to the Chedi the tallest building of the temple. It is oriented to the east past the main entrance and probably dates from the 13th century. As usual in Lanna temples, it was built without walls as open hall. Today he is wearing a down deep drawn, three-tier roof on concrete pillars where formerly stood wooden pillars. In the rear part ( a tabernacle similar) is located in a gilded Buddha statue of the Ku Phra Chao Lan Thong, which was cast in 1563.
- North of the Viharn Luang is the little " sound Viharn Kaew " (size: 6.5 meters * 15 meters), which was not restored in 1967 very advantageous by a concrete structure.
- North of the Chedi is a similar designed Viharn, the " viharn Nam Taem ". It dates from the year 1501. Interior murals are old now barely visible.
- West of the Chedi is also called " viharn Chamadevi " the " Viharn Phra Sao Sil " a. This viharn said to have been built around 657 of Chamadevis father to house a stone Buddha image which (similar to a sacrament house ) is in a Ku in its interior.
- The little " Viharn Phra Phut ", which is 10 meters * 22.5 feet tall is located on the south side of the chedi. He is said to be over 700 years old. He waits with balanced proportions and a very nice interior, which houses a Buddha in northern Thai style.
In Thai folk beliefs of Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang is associated with the Chinese zodiac sign of the Ox. In the Year of the Ox Born therefore like to make a pilgrimage here.
Swell
- Brochure ตำนาน พระบรม ธาตุ ลำปาง หลวง ( Tamnan Phra Luang Lampang Boromathat ). Lampang 2544, available even in the temple.