Wat Phra
Singh or full name: Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn |
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| Location |
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| Wat Phra Singh is located in the western
part of the old city centre of Chiang Mai, which is contained
within the city walls and moat. The main entrance, which is
guarded by Singhs (lions), is situated at the end of the main
street (Rachadamnoen road) of Chiang Mai. The road runs east
from the temple, via Tapae Gate, to the Ping River. |
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Phra
Buddha Sihing statue inside Wihan Lai Kham |
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Notability |
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The temple houses an important Buddha statue:
the Phra Buddha Sihing which gives the temple its name. There
are two more Buddha statues in Thailand which are claimed
to be the Phra Buddha Sihing: one is housed in Wat Phra Mahathat
in the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and another in the Bangkok
National Museum. Every year, during the Songkran festival,
the statue is taken from Wihan Lai Kham and carried through
the streets of Chiang Mai in a religious procession during
which the spectators honour the statue by sprinkling water
over it. |
Murals inside Wihan
Lai Kham |
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This lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal
points of Songkran festivities each April 13-15
when people bathe the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image. |
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