Friday 17 January 2025
Exploring Wiang Kum Kam Again
Wat That Kaow
Our next stop was at Wat That Kaow.
The name of Wat That Kaow (or Wat That Khao) translates as “White Relic Temple,” and is in reference to white lime plaster that would have once covered the chedi. This temple is located just outside the original Wiang Kum Kam city wall and is one of the most visited temple sites today.
The ruins follow a very typical design of ancient Lanna temples. In front of the chedi is the viharn — which faces northeast instead of the most common east. Alongside the viharn is the ubosot, an ordination hall for monks.
Wat That Kaow was a part of the first group of excavations beginning in 1985. These excavations found the original Buddha statue missing and also the remnants of a boundary wall behind the temple. Since the excavations, a new Buddha image has been placed at the site. No further excavations are planned due to property ownership disputes on the grounds around Wat That Kaow.
The first photo shows the foundation of the viharn and the chedi bedind it.
The next photo shows the more modern Buddha statue placed where it would have been behind the ubosot at Wat That Kaow.
These last two photos are more of the foundation of the viharn and chedi.
James the Intrepid Pilgrim 