Wat Si Khom Kham
| Wat Si Khom Kham | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Phra Chao Ton Luang | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Theravada Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | Phayao, Phayao Province |
| Country | Thailand |
  Temple location in Thailand | |
| Geographic coordinates | 19°10′36″N 99°53′23″E / 19.17667°N 99.88972°E |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 12th century |
Wat Si Khom Kham (Template:Lang-th) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Phayao town, Phayao Province, Thailand. The temple hosts the largest Chiang Saen era Buddha statue in the country.[1] Wat Si Khom Kham is located on the shores of Phayao Lake.
History
The founding of Wat Si Khom Kham dates to sometime in the 12th century.[2] The present structure was completed in 1923.[1] The central large Buddha statue was cast during the years 1491 to 1524.[3]
Architecture and art
The temple's wihan hosts a 16 metres (52 ft) high, 14 metres (46 ft) wide Buddha statue (Phra Chao Ton Luang) in the angular local style of the 15th and 16th centuries.[1][4] Surrounding the wihan are 38 Buddha heads, some cast in the local Phayao pink sandstone, dating from the 14th century.[2][5]
Another temple wihan has been built on stilts over the lake. It hosts murals painted by Thai artist Angkarn Kalayanapong. The murals are in Lanna style with some contemporary features.[4]
Mythology
Legend has it that the site for Wat Si Khom Kham was chosen by the Buddha himself. While he was seeking shelter from the sun, a tree grew miraculously on this spot from a seed planted by a bird.[4]
References
- ^ a b c Williams, China; Beales, Mark; Bewer, Tim (February 2012). Lonely Planet Thailand (14th ed.). Lonely Planet Publications. pp. 334. ISBN 978-1-74179-714-5.
- ^ a b Thailand (Eyewitness Travel Guides) (1st American ed.). DK Publishing, Inc. 1997. p. 242. ISBN 0-7894-1949-1.
- ^ "Wat Si Khom Kham". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ a b c Gray, Paul; Ridout, Lucy (1995). Thailand - The Rough Guide (2nd ed.). Rough Guides Limited. p. 278. ISBN 1-85828-140-7.
- ^ Stratton, Carol (2004). Buddhist Sculpture of Northern Thailand. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-93247-609-5.