Wat Inthakhin Sadue Mueang in Chiang Mai Thailand #SMSnotes
Small Buddhist temple with traditional Lanna architecture, once the site of the sacred city pillar.
Address: 13 Intrawarorot Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
this Wat as "postcard perfect"--and it certainly was! Situated on an odd triangular piece of land surrounded by roads and traffic, Wat Inthakhin is a little oasis, almost gingerbread-style in appearance. Do yourself a favor and walk all the way around to see the stupa as well.
In the city of temples, this one is worth the stop!
The Wat Inthakin is a little visited temple in the heart of the old walled town of Chiang Mai. The small, active temple comprises a very ornate viharn, two chedis, and the monks' living quarters.
The temple is also known as the Wat Sadue Muang, which translates to “temple of the city navel”, a reference to the spot in the center of town where the temple was built over 700 years ago.
wat inthakhin sadue Mueang Ranked 24th in Chiang Mai Sightseeing (276 in total) attractions and landmarks. It is one of my favorite temples in Chiang Mai.
Chedis
The oldest structures of Wat Inthakin are two brick chedis, one on either side of the road. The 15th-century circular chedi was built over an older existing one, while the 14th-century chedi is octagonal in shape. Also on the grounds are the kuti, the monks living quarters.
The temple is located on Soi Inthakin, off Intrawarorot road in the center of the old walled town of Chiang Mai, across the street from the Three Kings monument.
The temple is within walking distance of Wat Chedi Luang and the Wat Phra Singh. Alternatively, rent a bicycle or charter a tuk tuk.
Opening hours
The Wat Inthakin opens daily during daylight hours.
Entrance fee
Admission is free.
Wat Inthakhin is a tiny lovely wat near the Three Kings monument which sits at a strange angle to the street. To the left, there is an interesting museum. The novices might take you around. The night markets lap around it.
The temple is in the suburbs of Chiangmai. We were on a tour and it took us about a half an hour to get there. The whole setting was just awesome. You can spend at least an hour there to take in the view and visit all the temples, from the beautiful front and back. All the sculptures were amazing. It was worth every minute, and it was free too. Remember to wear long pants or bring a big scarf to cover your legs.
This temple is very unique and in actuality a rather recent revival of a very old monastery in Chiang Mai.
This temple can claim to hold a lineage at least as old as that of Wat Chiang Man, the oldest of Chiang Mai’s temples, though the temple itself is not in its original state.
At the time of King Mengrai’s monumental building of the city of Chiang Mai, beginning in 1296 AD the city was planned to symbolise the universe. The city was, in fact, designed as a huge, living mandala along traditional Buddhist and Hindu lines making the city itself a sacred entity.
The city walls represent the four points of the compass and further afield 8 temple chedis mark the eight cardinal points. The intersection of lines dissecting all these points was the center of the city or the Sadue Muang, meaning the “navel of the city”. The temple established here at that time was named Wat Sadue Mueang to safeguard the sacred navel of the city.
So it was here that the original temple and the chedis nearby marked the inaugural center of the universe that Chiang Mai was created to represent. The temple was established here to maintain the “Lak Mueang”, the foundation pillar of the city which was also established here. The name of Chiang Mai’s pillar is “Sao Inthakhin”. The original viharn (temple hall) has long disappeared but the old chedis (pagodas, stupas) remain and a new viharn is receiving final touches at this time of reconstruction.
In many ancient cultures around the world a ceremonial pole, post or pillar is a significant metaphorical symbol of a bridge or direct link between heaven and earth, between humans and gods, the universe, and the planet. This particular pillar derives from the ubiquitous Hindu influences in South East Asian Buddhist cultures that illustrate the religious influence that Indian-based cosmologies have played in this area over thousands of years.
Wat Inthakhin is a tiny lovely wat near the Three Kings monument which sits at a strange angle to the street. To the left, there is an interesting museum. The novices might take you around. The night markets lap around it.
The temple is in the suburbs of Chiangmai. We were on a tour and it took us about a half an hour to get there. The whole setting was just awesome. You can spend at least an hour there to take in the view and visit all the temples, from the beautiful front and back. All the sculptures were amazing. It was worth every minute, and it was free too. Remember to wear long pants or bring a big scarf to cover your legs.
This temple is very unique and in actuality a rather recent revival of a very old monastery in Chiang Mai.
This temple can claim to hold a lineage at least as old as that of Wat Chiang Man, the oldest of Chiang Mai’s temples, though the temple itself is not in its original state.
At the time of King Mengrai’s monumental building of the city of Chiang Mai, beginning in 1296 AD the city was planned to symbolise the universe. The city was, in fact, designed as a huge, living mandala along traditional Buddhist and Hindu lines making the city itself a sacred entity.
The city walls represent the four points of the compass and further afield 8 temple chedis mark the eight cardinal points. The intersection of lines dissecting all these points was the center of the city or the Sadue Muang, meaning the “navel of the city”. The temple established here at that time was named Wat Sadue Mueang to safeguard the sacred navel of the city.
So it was here that the original temple and the chedis nearby marked the inaugural center of the universe that Chiang Mai was created to represent. The temple was established here to maintain the “Lak Mueang”, the foundation pillar of the city which was also established here. The name of Chiang Mai’s pillar is “Sao Inthakhin”. The original viharn (temple hall) has long disappeared but the old chedis (pagodas, stupas) remain and a new viharn is receiving final touches at this time of reconstruction.
In many ancient cultures around the world a ceremonial pole, post or pillar is a significant metaphorical symbol of a bridge or direct link between heaven and earth, between humans and gods, the universe, and the planet. This particular pillar derives from the ubiquitous Hindu influences in South East Asian Buddhist cultures that illustrate the religious influence that Indian-based cosmologies have played in this area over thousands of years.
Comments
Post a Comment