Monday, January 23, 2023
Visiting a second temple this Monday

Being up north of the old Chiang Mai city, I perused the map and decided to visit a temple I had never seen, a little closer to the old city. I would still need to get a ride because crossing the busy highway can only be done at major intersections, and in either direction that would mean walking 2-3 kilometers out of my way.

Wat Chiang Chom

I chose this temple because I had never been there, and because from the one report I found, it looked interesting as if it were also set in an open, park-like grounds. I got a Grab ride (like Uber in the USA), and after many turns down small sois, I was dropped off at the entrance. Upon entering the grounds, to my right and dominating my view was this large, old chedi, named the Wat Chedi Plong. This is the oldest structure on the temple grounds, likely dating back to the 15th or 16th century. With a round base and many niches in the upper layers, this style is reminiscent of the chedi at Wat Santitam (that is to be the third temple today), the chedi at Wat Phuak Hom in the old city near Suan Prung Gate, and the chedi at Wat Chedi Lam down south of the old city at Wiang Kum Kam.

The one report I read was written in 2015 and said that the chedi was all by itself with no building or evidence of a temple nearby. That suggests that the ubosot (ordination hall) in the right background of the picture above was built since then. Here is a view of the front of the ubosot with the chedi in the background. This ubosot is very much in the Lanna style, with tiered, overlapping roof sections sweeping low at the sides, and the front entrance stairs guarded by the fierce naga creatures.

And here is a direct front view of the ubosot:

Inside, the ubosot is nicely and simply decorated, with a single large Buddha image at the head.

The viharn (worship hall) is to the south and about 50 meters away across a large grass field. Not like the park-like setting at Wat Jed Yod, but not crowded. The viharn has a large, imposing facade with an impressive flight of steps leading to the entrance guarded by the nagas.

Unfortunately, the doors were closed, so I was not able to look inside. Over to my right as I took the picture of the viharn was a pavilion with a fairly large reclining Buddha.

I was at Wat Chiang Chom for almost an hour and saw no other people – no monks, no visitors, no tourists, nobody. I walked back to the entrance, and down the soi in the direction I was pretty certain would lead me to or closer to Hussadhisawee Road which in turn would lead me to Wat Santitham and then to Hua Lin Corner, the northwest corner of the old city wall. And after a few turns, I was on Hussadhisawee Road and in a familiar area close to Wat Santitham. [Why Wat Santitham is not on Santitham Road, is another of the mysteries of Chiang Mai.]

Next: Three Temple Monday 3 – Wat Santitham