Elephant Stupa | Wat Chiang Man | Chiang Mai

The Chang Lom Chedi, a principal chedi in Lanna art built in 1840, is a chedi modeled after the Chang Lom Chedi of Wat Chang Lom in Sukhothai Province. It has square and round shapes, decorated with 16 stucco elephants. The stairs leading up to the pavilion are decorated with Naga handrails. The spire is a golden bell-shaped chedi. It has been renovated by the Chiang Mai governor until 1935 when the Fine Arts Department registered this chedi as an ancient site and an important temple. The inscription found in the temple mentions that King Mangrai built a chedi in his residence and established it as a temple, called Wat Chiang Man. Later, during the reign of King Yat Lokarat, he ordered the construction of a new chedi in 1471. The Yonok Chronicles mention that King Mangrai traveled from Wiang Chiang Man or Wiang Lek to reside in the newly built palace. In the local legend of Chiang Mai, It is said that Phraya Mangrai established a city in a strategic location called Chiang Man. According to the 76th stone inscription, Wat Chiang Man stone inscription, B.E. 2496, it is mentioned about Wat Chiang Man that Phraya Mangrai built a temporary residence to control the construction of the city. When it was completed, he ordered the construction of a pagoda at the dormitory of Ban Chiang Man, and named it Wat Chiang Man. It was considered the first royal temple of Chiang Mai. Later, in B.E. 2014, during the reign of Phraya Loktikarat, he ordered the construction of a pagoda made of laterite. 87 years later, the Burmese occupied Chiang Mai. Prince Manthara (Somdet Phra Maha Thammakarachathirat) ordered Phraya Saen Luang to build a pagoda, a chapel, a treasury hall, a dhammasanasana hall, and a gate wall. The pagoda is located on a square base, layered in 2 levels. The base is decorated with 15 stucco half-body elephants around it, and one elephant is placed at each corner. Between each stucco elephant Decorated with pillars in the form of a cross-section of architecture consisting of a 2-tiered pedestal, inverted lotus, decorated with 4 lines of chicken breast crystals, and upright lotus that corresponds to the upper floor of the 2nd tiered pedestal. On the east side, there is a Naga staircase, extending from the top of the 2nd tiered pedestal down to the floor. Next is a lotus base with a recessed bottom, separated by a line of chicken breast crystals, supporting a rectangular chedi with 12 additional wooden corners. Each side of the chedi is decorated with 3 pavilions on each side. Inside, there are objects of worship, except for the central pavilion on the west side, which is covered with a simulated door decorated with stucco patterns. The upper part of all 4 pavilions is decorated with chicken breast crystals, upright lotus, and the front board supporting the chedi of each pavilion. The chedi is decorated with stucco patterns. Next is a 2-tiered lotus stalk, a 4-tiered octagonal garland, a bell-shaped body, a throne, and a 1-strand glass ball. The metal umbrella is carved with palm stalks, stalks, and spires. Dewdrops Coordinates: Located on Ratchaphakinai Road, Si Phum Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province #TravelingAroundThailand #WatChiangMan #WaitingForTheDayToDepart #BeautifulPhotoSpots #Thailand #MissNature #SecretCoordinates #Worship9Temples #ChiangMaiInRainySeason #ChiangMaiTemples #Pagoda #WorshipAndPrayForBlessings #VisitChiangMaiCity #BeautifulTemplesAroundThailand #WinterTravelNorth #VisitChiangMai #ChiangMaiReview #PhraChaoMangrai #OldTemple #TravelIsExperience #Buddhism #FaithLeadsTheTouristRoute #HistoryAndCulture #WhereToGo #WhereToGoChiangMai #Trip #VisitTheTempleAndMakeMerit #DontMissMerit