Wat Phra Chao Mengrai, Buddhist temple in Phra Sing district, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Wat Phra Chao Mengrai is a Buddhist temple in Phra Sing, Chiang Mai, featuring a main hall with three-tiered roofs, naga bargeboards, decorated gable ends, and numerous gilt Buddha images on the central altar. The sanctuary houses a royal Buddha statue that holds significance in the temple's sacred space and serves as a focal point for devotion.
The temple was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, the first ruler of the Lanna Kingdom, following an incident where a cart carrying a Buddha image broke down. This event led to the establishment of the sanctuary at the location where the statue became revered.
The temple walls display detailed murals depicting scenes from Buddha's life, complemented by red lacquered columns adorned with gilt floral patterns.
Visitors must remove shoes before entering sacred areas and should wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees throughout the temple grounds. It is helpful to arrive early in the day to experience the site in quieter conditions and allow time to explore all areas respectfully.
A silver casket discovered beneath the principal Buddha statue in 1967 contained inscriptions revealing three previous names of the temple. This find provided rare evidence of how the sanctuary was known during different periods of its long history.
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