Wat Si Chum, Buddhist temple in Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
Wat Si Chum is a brick Buddhist temple within the historic park of Sukhothai in Thailand, housing a seated Buddha statue made of stucco inside an enclosed hall. The figure sits with hands in the earth-touching gesture on a pedestal, surrounded by thick walls accessible only through a narrow opening at the front.
The temple was built during the flourishing of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th or 14th century, when Thai artistic forms were evolving. Inscriptions inside refer to later renovations and use by subsequent generations of rulers.
The name refers to the bodhi tree and the visual effect of the seated figure emerging from the darkness when sunlight enters the hall. Visitors today see traces of mural paintings and inscriptions on the interior walls that illustrate scenes from earlier lives of the Buddha.
Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring sufficient water, as the site is located away from main paths and shade is limited. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when light enters through the front opening and highlights the statue.
A narrow corridor inside the walls leads upward and ends at openings near the head of the statue, through which voices could once be heard. This construction created the impression that the figure itself was speaking and giving instructions.
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