Wat Lai Hin Luang ‘Over 100 years old’
Give yourself some time and visit this temple, Wat Lai Hin Luang.
Wat Lai Hin Luang is also known as ‘Wat Selarattanapappadaram’. It’s an old temple of Lampang, over 100 years old.
The architecture in Wat Lai Hin is in Lanna style of Buddhist art consisting of a ground in the front which is used for activities and to plant Bodhi trees, a vihara, a pavilion, a sandlot, and a pagoda at the back of the vihara. The pagoda in Lanna style is believed to contain Buddha’s relics. The area was an imitation of Buddhist cosmology where the vihara is compared as Ausa-Dwipa, the pagoda as Mount Sumeru, and the sandlot as a river surrounding the mountain. The shrine is beautifully built at a small size. The building are made of bricks and cement decorated with stucco and surrounded with a low wall.
The most outstanding part of the temple is probably ‘the vihara’. The vihara has the features of Lampang’s craftsmen which are more delicate than those of Chiang Mai’s. The roof is slightly bent and has 3 layers. This kind of vihara is called Hang Pu meaning a body of a man. The interesting point is the decorative ornaments which were changed during the renovation into those of Central Thailand. The arched entrance of Wat Lai Hin is similar to that of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang but the decoration is slightly different. It is decorated with clay dolls. Apart from the buildings, a number of ancient scriptures and antiques are well preserved. Some are related the temple’s legend such as the tale of half of the coconut shell and Phra Maha Pa Kaesorn Punyo’s alms-bowl.
The Fine Art Department registered Wat Lai Hin, including the Lanna style vihara, the pagoda, the ubosot, the low wall and the library, as a historic site on October 14th, 1980. Moreover, in 2007, it was also registered as a conserved building by The Association of Siamese Architects. You will see it in Lanna style. It’s just valuable, and unforgottable. Just go and see it.
Behind the vihara, there is a pagoda with Lord Buddha’s relics inside. You will want ot pay respect to that.
Wat Lai Hin Luang is not colorful or very big, but surely it’s a valuavle one. As you walk around, you should feel relaxed.
The atmosphere is quiet, worthy of being visited by those who want to spend some time alone or escape from busy life.
How to get there
Wat Lai Hin Luang is in Lai Hin District, Kho Kha County. To get there, you may want to start from the office of Kho Kha County. Then head for the same route as Wat Phra That Lampang Luang for about 1 kilometre. Then turn left for about 6 kilometres.
Nearby Places
The Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is one of the most highly revered temples in Thailand. According to legend the Buddha once visited the site some 2,500 years ago and donated a hair, which is now enshrined in the temple’s large chedi.
The Thai Elephant Conservation Center, founded in 1993 under Royal Patronage, cares for more than 50 Asian elephants in a beautiful forest. The 120-hectare area consists of an elephant hospital and training school, which help to conserve the Thai elephants and protect them from extinction.
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