Wat Phra Singh “amazing temple in the heart of the old city”

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Wat Phra Singh or full name is Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan. This is the second most venerated temple in Chiang Mai after Wat Phra That Doi Suthep where is the major Temple for Lan Na art and architecture.

💡 The Soul of Lanna: A Definitive Guide to Wat Phra Singh

Step through the gates of Wat Phra Singh Worawihan, and the hum of Chiang Mai’s Old City seems to soften, replaced by the weight of seven centuries of devotion. This is no mere monument; it is the spiritual heart of a kingdom, a living, breathing sanctuary where history, art, and faith converge. Its gilded roofs shimmer under the tropical sun, its ancient walls hold stories of kings and legendary monks, and its sacred air offers a profound connection to the cultural soul of Northern Thailand. For any traveler seeking to understand Chiang Mai, a journey into this magnificent temple complex is not just a visit—it is an essential pilgrimage.

📜 A Royal Legacy Forged Through Centuries

The story of Wat Phra Singh is the story of the Lanna Kingdom itself. Its origins are an act of filial piety, founded in 1345 by King Pha Yu to house the ashes of his father, King Kam Fu. The original name of the temple was Wat Li Chiang Phra. However, its destiny was forever altered in 1367 with the arrival of the Phra Sihing Buddha, a revered image that bestowed upon the temple its name and its immense prestige. Like the city around it, the temple endured periods of decline before being heroically revived by King Kawila. Subsequent rulers and, most famously, the revered monk Khru Ba Srivichai in the 1920s, undertook extensive restorations, meticulously shaping the magnificent complex we see today.

⛪ What to See at Wat Phra Singh

Visitors to Phra Singh temple can explore the temple grounds, which include several beautifully-decorated buildings, as well as several shrines and statues. The main temple building, called the viharn, is particularly impressive, with its intricate carvings, gold-plated accents, and colorful murals.

🙏 Phra Singh Buddha

A good deal of legend surrounds the possible origins of this image with local belief holding that it is some 1,500 years old and was originally brought to Thailand from Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been brought to Chiang Mai from the kingdom of Sukhothai in the 14th century and is considered one of the most important cultural treasures in Thailand. The statue depicts the Buddha in the attitude of peace, known as the “Buddha in the attitude of Subduing Mara”, and is made of gold, silver, and precious stones. It is intricately decorated with beautiful carvings and designs, making it a stunning work of art. The Phra Singh Buddha is not only a religious artifact but also a symbol of Thai cultural heritage and is highly revered by Buddhists and tourists alike. On the day of the Songkran Festival , the Phra Singh Buddha is espectfully mounted on the royal carriage , and travels in a procession around the city of Chiang Mai, so that Chiang Mai people can pay homage in a traditional manner to the image.

💦 The Spiritual Heart: The Phra Sihing Buddha and the Songkran Festival

The supreme importance of Wat Phra Singh is intrinsically linked to the Phra Buddha Sihing, the city of Chiang Mai’s most sacred and revered Buddha image. According to legend, the statue originated in Sri Lanka over 1,500 years ago. More than just a priceless work of art, it is considered the spiritual palladium of the city, a protector and a center of immense faith. This deep reverence culminates in the city’s most important annual event: the Procession of the Phra Sihing Buddha during the Songkran Festival.

On April 13th each year, the atmosphere around the temple transforms, charged with joyous energy and profound devotion. The sacred Phra Sihing image is carefully brought out from the Viharn Lai Kham and placed upon a magnificent, ornately decorated carriage known as a busabok. A grand procession then moves through the city. The air fills with the sounds of traditional Lanna music as tens of thousands of people, locals and travelers alike, line the streets. They come to participate in the “Song Nam Phra” ritual, gently splashing the image with fragrant, jasmine-infused water to ask for blessings and good fortune in the new year. It is a beautiful, soul-stirring spectacle of living culture, vividly demonstrating the unbreakable bond between the people, their faith, and this sacred temple.

✨ Viharn Luang

The Viharn Luang is the largest building in the temple complex and serves as a gathering place for Buddhists to pray and meditate. The original viharn was built towards the end of the 14th century, but was replaced by the current building in 1925. This impressive viharn houses a very highly revered Buddha image named Phra Chao Thong Tip. This gold and copper image of a seated Buddha was cast in 1477. The viharn is beautifully decorated with intricate carvings, gold-plated accents, and colorful murals, and is considered one of the most impressive examples of traditional Thai temple architecture. It houses several shrines and statues, including the revered Phra Singh Buddha, and is a popular tourist destination for those interested in Thai Buddhism and cultural history. The Viharn Luang is a symbol of the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance of Wat Phra Singh Worawihan and is a testament to the beauty and grandeur of traditional Thai temple architecture.

🛕 Main Chedi

The oldest structure of the wat is the main chedi, that was built in 1345 by King Pha Yu to enshrine the ashes of his father. The chedi is circular in shape with a square base. Each of the sides of the chedi is decorated with elephant figures emerging from the chedi. Since its construction in the 14th century it has been enlarged considerably. The main chedi is a towering structure that serves as a symbol of the temple’s spiritual significance. Chedis are typically used to house the ashes of important Buddhist figures and to serve as a place of worship.

🏛️ Viharn Lai Kham

Viharn Lai Kham is a secondary hall for prayer and meditation, complementing the main viharn. This beautifully decorated structure boasts intricate carvings, gold-plated accents, and colorful murals, making it a significant architectural feature of the temple complex. Both tourists and Buddhists visit Viharn Lai Kham to appreciate its beauty and learn about the rich cultural heritage of Thai Buddhism.

Recently restored, Viharn Lai Kham is a prime example of Lanna-style architecture and was built to house the Phra Sihing image. The term “Lai Kham” refers to the elegant gold tracery used for decoration. The building features a three-tiered front with finely carved gables and an ornate stucco sum above the main doors.

The inner walls of Viharn Lai Kham feature murals commissioned by Chao Thammalangka, known for their period style and intricate details depicting northern Thai scenes and the ways of the Burmese Court. The murals depict two fables: Prince Sang Thong of the Golden Conch on the north wall and the Heavenly Phoenix on the south. These fables illustrate the struggle of heroes against evil before good ultimately triumphs with the intervention of Indra.

Recent restoration efforts have removed previous restoration work from the 1920s to showcase the original style of the murals. Although some of the detail has been lost, the restored Viharn Lai Kham offers a unique glimpse into the rich cultural and religious heritage of Thailand.

⛪ Ubosot

The Ubosot is typically separate from the main chedi and viharn, and is considered a sacred space within the temple complex. It is a popular destination for tourists and Buddhists who come to admire its beauty and learn about the important role it plays in Thai Buddhism.

The north wall shows work done by a Chinese artist whose likeness is found in a small picture at the top in the middle of the wall. Directly to the east of the main chedi, the wooden ubosot has ornate carvings around its doors and stucco patterns on the wooden pillars. The ubosot, which is usually locked, contains a tower-like shrine known as a mondop. The shape of the shrine was said to be similar to an earlier structure that used to stand in Wat Phra Yeun, Lamphun.

📚Scripture library Ho Trai

The Ho Trai is a scripture library found in traditional Buddhist temples in Thailand. The small scripture repository – ho trai – in the north-east corner is the finest of its type in the north. It sits atop a raised base decorated with stucco Devas. The upper wooden structure is decorated with carvings and stucco and is covered in glass mosaic and gilded lacquer.

Phra Singh temple is not only a place of worship, but also a cultural center where visitors can learn about Thai Buddhism and the rich history and traditions of Chiang Mai. The temple is a popular tourist destination, and attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire its beauty, learn about its history, and pay their respects to the revered Buddha image housed within.

🚗 How to get to the Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh is located inside the old city wall, at the western end of Ratchadamnoen Road, the temple’s signature Lanna-style roofs and glittering viharn (assembly hall) invite visitors. The walled-in temple compound is busy with visitors and worshippers all year round and is usually packed during the Thai New Year festival (Songkran) in mid-April. From Wat Phra Singh, you might want to go on to Wat Chedi Luang, which is just a short walk away. Another important temple within the walls is the oldest : Wat Chiang Man. It’s another short walk away, near the Chang Puak gate. If you interest to visit important temple in Chiang Mai for half day trip, we are an experience company and we can provide a budget tour or a private tour for your group with good service and comfortable.

🚶‍♂️ Planning Your Visit

A visit to Wat Phra Singh is a highlight when exploring the many Chiang Mai Tourist attractions. It is undeniably one of the most Important Temples in Chiang Mai, a site of immense cultural value.

Location: In the heart of the Old City, at the western end of the main thoroughfare, Ratchadamnoen Road.
Opening Hours: The temple grounds are open daily from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Entrance Fee: While the grounds are free, a respectful donation of 20 THB is requested for foreigners to enter the Viharn Lai Kham.
Dress Code: As a place of active worship, visitors must dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered.
Tours: Given its rich history, many of the best Chiang Mai tours feature the temple as a centerpiece, providing expert guides who can bring its incredible stories to life.