Sunday, January 20, 2019
Four Local, Neighborhood Temples, Part 2

The second local temple is right through a small lane from Wat Duang Dee, Wat Umong Mahathera Chan. Ths temple was built by the three kings who founded Chiang Mai, early in the construction at about the same time as Wat Chiang Man (where King Mengrai lived and worshiped as he supervised the construction of the new city).

Two signs at the entrances to Wat Umong Mahathera Chan

Today, this temple is open for Thais and foreigners interested in Vipassana meditation practice. Two very old chedi exist within the temple grounds, and with all the trees, it is almost like an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy old city.

Larger of the two chedi at Wat Umong Mahathera chan

The second, slightly smaller chedi looks older and in less pristine condition. It is unusual in that it is hollow, almost like a mixture of a chedi and small viharn (worship hall) :

Older and smaller chedi at Wat Umong Mahathera Chan

After looking at the two chedi, I wandered over to this ubosot (ordination hall) or ho trai (library), and it was closed. I think this is a ho trai because the two mythical animals on the stairway banisters are Mom (pronounced moam), and almost all ho trai entrances are guarded by Mom.

Ho Trai (library) entrance at Wat Umong Mahathera Chan

Then I wandered over to the small main Lanna-styled viharn (worship hall) guarded by the Singhs (mythical lion-like creatures) and no naga (dragons) on the stairway banisters.

Main viharn (worship hall) at Wat Umong Mahathera Chan

inside, the viharn is very peaceful with its dark teak wood and large, 650-year old Buddha statue:

Inside the viharn at Wat Umong Mahathera Chan with the 650-year old Buddha statue

Next: Four Local Temples – Part 3