Wat Umong Maha Thera Chan (Thai: วัดอุโมงค์มหาเถรจันทร์, RTGS: Wat Umong Maha-then Chan) is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. It is situated on Ratchapakhinai Road in the centre of the old city.
| Wat Umong Maha Thera Chan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Therevada Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | Ratchapakhinai Road, Mueang Chiang Mai district, Chiang Mai |
| Country | Thailand |
| Architecture | |
| Date established | 1367 |
History
editWat Umong Maha Thera Chan traces its origins back to 1367 during the reign of King Kuena (1355–1385), the sixth king of the Mangrai Dynasty. Originally named Wat Pho Noi, its name was changed during rebuilding works in 1910 to Wat Umong Maha Thera Chan after a renowned monk, Mahathera Chan, who lived in Chiang Mai during the 14th and 15th centuries and who frequently visited the site. Umong meaning 'tunnel' refers to a room created under one of its chedis. Nothing remains of the original temple. Most of the buildings date from the early 20th century although one of the chedis dates from around 1840.[1][2][3]
Description
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The temple includes an assembly hall, ordination hall and two chedis constructed in the Lan Na style. The assembly hall, built around 1910 in the Lan Na style, contains modern murals of the Vessantara Jataka typical of the Rattanakosin style. The principal Buddha image (Phra Phuttha Patimokorn) dates from the same period. The small ordination hall is guarded by a pair mythical beasts called mom, regarded as some of the finest examples of naga-makara art in Lan Na, and includes finely carved wooden doors and windows, and murals featuring scenes from the life of the Buddha.[4] The older of the two chedis known as the Umong Chedi, and built around 1840 in the La Na style, has an underground chamber used by monks for peaceful meditation.[1][2][3][5]
References
edit- ^ a b Hargreave, Oliver (1998). Exploring Chiang Mai : city, valley & mountains. Internet Archive. Chiang Mai, Thailand : Within Books. p. 60. ISBN 978-974-86437-7-9.
- ^ a b "วัดอุโมงค์มหาเถรจันทร์ ตำบลศรีภูมิ อำเภอเมืองเชียงใหม่ จังหวัดเชียงใหม่". www.templethailand.org. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ a b "Wat Umong Maha Therachan | Chiang Mai, Thailand | Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ Stratton, Carol (2004). Buddhist sculpture of Northern Thailand. Internet Archive. Chicago : Buppha Press ; Chiang Mai, Thailand : Silkworm Books. p. 346. ISBN 978-974-7551-63-1.
- ^ "Wat Umong Maha Thera Chang Garden". ChiangMai.net. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
