Description of the attraction
According to some reports, Wat Chiang Man is the oldest in Chiang Mai, it was founded in 1306 by King Mengrai. The temple was his home while the Lanna Kingdom was being built around. Wat Chiang Man was repeatedly restored in 1471, 1558, 1571 and 1581, according to the dates carved on the stone located on the territory of the temple.
Wat Chiang Man contains two precious Buddha figures of immense importance to the whole of Thailand. Both statues can be seen in the small viharna (building) of the temple.
The Crystal Buddha, or Phra Sae Tang Khamani (presumably from the 14th century), has the ability to protect against natural disasters. The statue is only occasionally put on public display, usually on Sundays.
The Marble Buddha, or Phra Sila Buddha, was created around the 8th century in Ceylon. The Buddha is portrayed as defeating the elephant Nalagiri and, according to legends, can cause rain. Most of the attention is paid to the Marble Buddha in April, when the whole country celebrates Water Day and New Year according to the Buddhist calendar.
Much attention of visitors to the temple is attracted by the chedi Chang Lom (in the translation from Thai “stupa surrounded by elephants”), built in the 15th century and restored in the 19th. It is a combination of gray stone and gold, which looks very impressive together. The Sinhalese-style elephant figures "emerge" from the base of the stupa.
The central building - viharn - has beautiful decorations both inside and outside. It contains a statue of Buddha with a begging bowl dating from 1465.
On the territory of Wat Chiang Man there is a stele that fixes the exact moment of the founding of Chiang Mai: 4 a.m. on April 12, 1296.
