Wat Chedi Luang Buddhist Temple, Thailand

Address

Wat Chedi Luang Buddhist Temple 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

Wat Chedi Luang (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa) is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand..”Luang” means “large” in northern dialect, and as the name suggests, Wat Chedi Luang Temple is home to Chiang Mai’s largest Buddhist chedi built featuring 98 meters tall and 54 meters in diameter. The construction of the orginal chedi was completed in 1481 during the reign of King Mengrai. But the current Chedi Luang is an restoration according to the deconstruction of the chedi in 1545 due to an earthquake. But still the temple is Partially Ruins.

Puranic Significance

The construction of the temple started in the 14th century, Known as the Temple of the Great Stupa, Wat Chedi Luang is among the most famous temples in Chiang Mai. It is most symbolically identified by its incomplete pagoda, that was brought down from a lofty 85 metres to 60 metres after an earthquake in 1545, and now remains partly destroyed. Nevertheless, it is an enormous structure engraved with mythological motifs and enshrining several Buddha images. A replica of the revered Emerald Buddha of Wat Phra Kaew rests inside the temple, and the compound also houses the sacred city pillar, making it a highly venerated religious site.