Wat Lai Hin

The Ceramics and Architecture of Wat Lai Hin
Wat Lai Hin is locally known as “Lai Hin Keaw Chang Yeun Temple”, or more formally as “Say La Rattana Pappataramm” and is the center of the Lai Hin Community in Tambon Lai Hin, Amphor Koh Kha, Lampang.

Wat Lai Hin has a long history as can be seen in the Thai-Wana inscriptions that date back some 300 years to the year 1683. The local people still revere the temple and the legend of the Buddha’s relics at Wat Lai Hin. The legend states that an elephant parade passed the temple with the Lord Buddha’s relics, the parade grinding to a halt and refusing to move. Thus, the Lord Buddha’s relics were incarcerated within a newly constructed chedi at Wat Lai Hin.

Wat Lai Hin still retains its architectural beauty and the adornments are a marvel to this very day. The temple is an important cultural heritage for the Lai Hin community and Thai society. One of the most outstanding decorations is the use of ceramics on the Ceremonial Gate (Pratu Tu Khong), the archway entrance to the temple.

It is well know that Lanna once had many earthenware kilns during the glorious rise of the Lanna kingdom. Of the more famous kilns are those at Wieng Ka Long, Wang Neua, Sankampaeng and the Inthakhin Kiln. However, most of the products were for use in the daily lifestyle of the people and not so much for decoration. More decorative ceramics were made in the Sukhothai Kingdom. It is therefore even more surprising that the use of Buddha decorations can be found in the temple of Wat Lai Hin.

The Ceremonial Gate is in the Classic Lanna style, a tower shape but not too tall, just tall enough for people to pass by underneath. This gate shows the use of decorative ceramics and stucco artwork used in the temple and leads the way to the beautiful and unique artworks.

The statues in Wat Lai Hin are figurines of Kinnarahs and phoenix. The Kinnarah is a mythical halfman, half bird type creature living in the forest, omnipresent in Thai folklore and Buddhist literature. Two kinnarahs guard each side the of door and they are dancing, adorned with headdress, a robe, an embroidered collar, earrings, bracelets and jeweled sashes hanging from both shoulders. Its tail is decorated in Thai stucco design, the fine line representing a serpent’s head and a flame (Kanok). The phoenix adorn the top section of the ceremonial gate, three on each side. They are made of baked clay and are quite plump, their necks gracefully arched in beautiful Lanna style.

If you have the chance to visit the beauty of the local temples, look around and you will see more of the variety hiding in the Lanna culture.

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Away from the Heat Cool off at the Temple

April is the hottest month of Thailand with temperature of 35 - 40 C? and over. The heat gets under the skin, more often than not by peeling away at the outer
layer first. It is at this time of year that the department stores are at their busiest, people in search of cool air rather than hot bargains.

As an easier and much more traditional alternative, why not visit the cool grounds of a local temple or “Wat” as they are known to the Thai. Although not possessing air conditioning, the temples are naturally cool the jungle surroundings help in to instill a feeling of mental coolness.

We recommend these three Buddhist Temples in Chiang Mai, very good for practicing meditation or just a cool refreshing walk.

Wat Umong (Tunnel Temple)

The ancient bell-shaped chedi stands above the tunnels made of brick. The venerated Buddha image is incarcerated here and the meditation cells are also inside the tunnels. This temple is located in the forest, so is quite peaceful and breezy.

How to get there: Take Suthep Rd., turn left at Soi Wat Umong and go straight for approx. 2 km.

Wat Ton Kwaen

This is one of the most beautiful Lannastyle temples in Chiang Mai. Built in 1858, the Wihan (Buddhist Hall) is exquisite, especially the gable decorations. The are also many Sugar Palm Trees rising high into the crystal skies.

How to get there: From Ton Pha-yorm Market, take the Cholprathan Rd. until you reach the Hang Dong – Samoeng Junction, turn right and then left into a small lane.

Wat Rampoeng

The temple is well known for its Northern Insight Meditation Center. You can see westerners dressed in traditional Vipassana meditation outfits as they mindfully walk around the ancient chedi in their quest to develop their mind. If you are interested in a meditation course, please contact: Tel. 053 272 8620 Ext.13, www.watrampoeng.org

How to get there: Continue a further 3km along the same road from Wat Umong and the temple is located on the left.

Special Thank :
http://www.passport2002.com for information and photos

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