Wat Si Khom Kham

Wat Si Khom Kham
Phra Chao Ton Luang
Temple location in Thailand
Basic information
Location Phayao, Phayao Province
Geographic coordinates 19°10′36″N 99°53′23″E / 19.17667°N 99.88972°E / 19.17667; 99.88972Coordinates: 19°10′36″N 99°53′23″E / 19.17667°N 99.88972°E / 19.17667; 99.88972
Affiliation Theravada Buddhism
Country Thailand
Completed 12th century

Wat Si Khom Kham (Thai: วัดศรีโคมคำ) 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

  1. 1 2 3 Williams, China; Beales, Mark; Bewer, Tim (February 2012). Lonely Planet Thailand (14th ed.). Lonely Planet Publications. p. 334. ISBN 978-1-74179-714-5.
  2. 1 2 Thailand (Eyewitness Travel Guides) (1st American ed.). DK Publishing, Inc. 1997. p. 242. ISBN 0-7894-1949-1.
  3. ↑ "Wat Si Khom Kham". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Gray, Paul; Ridout, Lucy (1995). Thailand - The Rough Guide (2nd ed.). Rough Guides Limited. p. 278. ISBN 1-85828-140-7.
  5. ↑ Stratton, Carol (2004). Buddhist Sculpture of Northern Thailand. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-93247-609-5.
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