Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong
Temple of the sacred Buddha relic
Chiang Mai
The Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong is one of the oldest and most highly revered temples in North Thailand. According to local legend the Buddha once visited the hill where the temple now stands.
The temple that is officially named Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong Worawihan is very highly revered, because of the sacred Buddha relic that is enshrined here.
The oldest structure
The Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong was constructed halfway through the 15th century at the spot where the Buddha relic was found. The oldest structure is the chedi, that was built around 1450. The chedi is a large golden structure with a square base and a spire on top of that. Shortly after the chedi, a viharn was constructed.
The viharn with the sacred Buddha relic
The temple grounds contain two viharns. The largest viharn is a two storey building with a cruciform floor plan. A mondop like structure is built on top of the roof. This viharn contains the Buddha relic, named the Phra Boromathat Chom Thong relic, from which the temple gets its fame.
Whereas in most Buddhist temples the Buddha relics are kept inside a chedi, at the Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong the relic is enshrined in the mondop of the viharn. On important Buddhist holidays the sacred relic, said to be a part of the Buddha’s skull, is taken out of the mondop and put on display for people to worship.
The viharn that was constructed in 1817 contains beautiful gilded wood carvings on the gables, portals and the facade. The attractive Lanna style facade is decorated with blue and gold colors. On the roof ends are golden intricately decorated barge boards with Naga snakes.
The Ku or Buddha Throne
Inside the viharn is a very large and ornate Ku or Buddha Throne, decorated with depictions of mythological creatures. A Ku is used to keep important Buddha images. In front of and around the Ku is a large number of smaller Buddha images. The teak wood pillars supporting the wooden roof contain very intricate ornamentations.
Other structures
The smaller viharn and a large hall on the grounds contain a very large number of old bronze Buddha images. Other items to see at the temple grounds include a large bell tower, several gongs and bells and a number of white lions called Singha in Thai, that are guarding the temple. Entrance to the temple grounds is through a large ornate white gate in the wall around the temple.
The temple complex has been extensively renovated during the previous decade.
Meditation Center
This wat contains the Chom Thong Insight meditation center. Meditation classes are open to both Thai people and foreigners, and are conducted in Thai and English. The meditation center is located behind the temple grounds, with accommodation available to students of meditation.
If you are interested in taking meditation classes at the temple, contact the temple at the Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong website for contact information.
For more information about meditation and a list of retreats and temples in Thailand that teach Vipassana or Samatha meditation, read meditation retreats in Thailand.
How to get to the Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong
The temple is located some 60 kilometers South West of Chiang Mai town in Chom Thong district just off Highway 108.
From Chang Phuak bus station just North of the old walled city you can catch a local bus that runs many times per day. The non air conditioned ride takes about 1½ hours.
A more comfortable and quicker alternative is to hire a private taxi. Most hotels are able to assist you with this, agree on the price before leaving. As it might not be easy to find a taxi in Chom Thong, it is recommended to book a return trip.
Opening hours
The temple is open daily from 6 am until 5 pm.
As this temple is highly revered, during weekends and especially important Buddhist holidays the grounds can get very busy. The Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong is an active temple, monks live and study here.
Entrance fee
Admission is free.