Wat Chamathewi วัดจามเทวี , Lamphun

Mahapol Chedi, Wat Chamathewi (26 October, 2006)


Wat Chamathewi (GPS: 18.58151, 98.99633; Thai: วัดจามเทวี ) is one of the major Thai Buddhist temples in Lamphun, Thailand. It is located on Chamadevi Road (Route 1015), about one kilometer to the west of the Old Town of Lamphun. The temple is also known as Wat Ku Kut.

Wat Chamathewi dates to the founding of Lamphun. According to legend, Queen Chamethewi had directed an archer to shoot an arrow into the sky, in the northern direction, and the site of this temple was determined by where the arrow fell to the ground.

Wat Chamathewi has a modern viharn (assembly hall) which is not particularly remarkable. What is interesting in this temple are two chedi or stupas. Both reflects the Dvaravati architecture of the Mon people.

Wat Chamathewi, with Mahapol Chedi on the left and the Viharn on the right. (26 October, 2006)


The bigger of these two chedi is the Mahapol Chedi. Also called Suwana Chedi Jungkot, it is 21 meters tall, built on a square plan and comprises five diminishing tiers. On each side are three niches with the relief of standing Buddhas.

According to unverified legend, Mahapol Chedi was built in the 7th or 8th century. What we do know, based on Mon inscription from the early 13th century, is that it was rebuilt by King Adityaraja as Mahabaladhetiya, or Great Power Chedi, in around 1150. That too may have been destroyed by earthquake, and the present one dates from the restoration in 1218. There are copies of this chedi elsewhere in Lanna, including the Suwanna Chedi at Wat Phra That Haripunchai and Satmahal Prasada in Polonnaruwa.

Mahapol Chedi, Wat Chamathewi (24 October, 2006)


View of Mahapol Chedi, with the Viharn behind it. (26 October, 2006)


Devotees making offerings at Mahapol Chedi, which is also known as Suwana Chedi Jungkot (26 October, 2006)


The other chedi is the Ratana Chedi. It is shorter, about 11.5 meters tall, built of bricks with stucco embellishments. Also in the Mon style, it was built in the 13th century by King Sabbasiddhi. The base is octagonal, and on each side is a standing Buddha relief. Above these are three diminishing tiers, with the top one having tringular niches. Above this sits the relic chamber, and above that is the finial which alas is now gone.

Ratana Chedi, Wat Chamathewi (26 October, 2006)

Address

Wat Chamathewi
Chamadevi Road, Tambon Mueang Nga,
Amphoe Mueang Lamphun,
Chang Wat Lamphun 51000, Thailand.

A smaller chedi at Wat Chamathewi, Lamphun. (26 October, 2006)

Wat Chamathewi on Google Street View

Wat Chamathewi (Oct 2017)

Wat Chamathewi is on the map of Lamphun

List of Wats in Lamphun and Wats in Thailand

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