Aug 02

Phra That Lampang Luang

By Richard Barrow Email

Wednesday 2nd August, 2006 | 249 words | Category: Road Trips | 6 feedbacks »

Phra That Lampang Luang

Phra That Lampang Luang, Ko Kha, Lampang Province

Year of the Ox: One of my favourite temples in Northern Thailand is Phra That Lampang Luang. If you are driving to Chiang Mai from Bangkok then this is an easy temple to visit. The temple is about 20 kms southwest of Lampang and off Highway 1. The main feature is, of course, the chedi which contains relics of the Lord Buddha. This is a major pilgrimage site for people born in the Year of the Ox. However, the exquisite three-tiered wooden temple buildings are just as stunning. Many of these date back to the 16th Century. The pillars supporting the roof are teak wood. If you look closely on the walls you will see some of the original mural paintings though they have faded with time. Look out for bullet holes in one of the railings around the chedi. Also of passing interest is the camera obscura – the first one I have seen in Thailand. This is housed in a small white building at the back. Close the door after you go in and in the darkness you will see an image of the chedi on a white sheet. Women are barred from this building which is also a shrine. However, one of the other temple buildings has another camera obscura which anyone can see. If you are coming here by public transport then more effort is needed. However, I think the Lanna-style architecture certainly makes this temple worth visiting.

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Comment from: paul_au
What can you say about touring Thailand.
"So many spectacular temples, so little time."
2006-08-03 @ 20:21
Comment from: malek
If you end up in Lampang it is really a "must to see"
Located off the tourist track i saw only a few (3)farang visitors.Maybe that why i liked it so much. If you stay in Lampang, just take a local taxi, it's about 30 minutes drive from the city.
2006-08-05 @ 05:06
Comment from: Al
This is without a doubt my favourite temple in Northern Thailand! In 2004, my future wife was told by a monk in Bangkok to come up here to pray because she was single and wanted to marry. She had never been to Lampang before but got on a train and came up. A few months later we met in a photo shop in Phra Kanong, Bangkok, and were married three months after that in December '04. In mid 2005 we returned to the temple together to give thanks and to pray for a baby daughter. Nine weeks ago today our daughter was born. So we feel a strong bond with Phra Tat Lampang Luang. For me, one of the nicest places is the leafy area at the back of the main compound with beautiful trees (bamboo I think, or maybe I am just imagining that) wrapped in silk scarves, and a few 'museums' in different buildings. I think we will go back again in 2007 to give thanks again... But I agree about the public transport, last time we managed to get out there OK in a song-thao (sp?)but had to hitch-hike back into town. Thank goodness so many locals have utility vehicles that can carry strangers on the back! Al
2006-09-21 @ 15:45
Comment from: Richard Barrow Email · http://www.richardbarrow.com
Nice story. Thanks for that.
2006-09-21 @ 18:45
Comment from: Natalee Email
*****
I was just at the Wat and it must be one of the most beautiful. There is a legend that the bullet holes were caused when Nan Thipchang slipped through the drain (by using magic) at the back wall of the temple grounds (marked with a sign) and assasinated the Burmese gerneral who held control of the area. It was said he shot him by concealing a gun in a scroll and while presenting it he pulled the trigger. A statue of Nan is to the right of the Wihan. If you go to the left back side of the Wihan you can make a wish. There is a small rug with a small elephant with a handle on his back. Kneel on the rug, pray and ask a question of the Buddha, then- using just your left pinkie if you are a male / left ring finger if you are female - try and lift the elephant. Pray again and then try to lift a second time. If you lift the elephant the first time and did not lift the second- your wish will come to be. If you cannot lift the first but lift the second time your wish will not pass. If you cannot lift either it is not andswerable, if you lift both times it is a maybe. I tried it and it is quite strange...being quite strong and not much of a believer in this sort of stuff I did not expect it to work, but the elephant was impossible to lift the second time. Quite amazing! Now if my wish only comes true that is another matter...
2008-03-14 @ 22:15
Comment from: chuck tan · http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2006/08/02/phra_that_lampang_luang?blog=5
*****
2 little known points about this temple.
1) It is the most important temple for the kings of Chiang Mai and the princes of the Seven Princes Dynasty. (18th to early 20th century)
2) There is small white washed memorial just out side the wall of the temple near the museum. It contains ashes of Princess Sri Anocha, the consort of the Uparaja of the first Reign of BKK. She was the leader of the counter coup of King Taksin and therefore helped establishing Chakri dynasty. She is also a member of the seven Princes dynasty.
2009-08-28 @ 03:22

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