Lamphun is a small city and capital of its own province only 26 kilometres from Chiangmai. A very old city indeed, it was once called Haripanchai and its early art bears strong traits of the Khmer style. In 1281 it became part of the Lanna Kingdom and the change of administration brought a marked artistic licence that produced Buddhas with portrait like similarity to the faces of local shop assistants with Lanna ancestry. My friend Rosie and I went to visit with Arjan Lloyd's ever helpful taxi driver Sammy.
The beautiful main temple of Wat Phra That Haripanchai attracts
contemplative local people and a smattering of farang tourists.
The school study trip at Wat Phra That Haripunchai Lamphun.
Gold does grow on trees.
The Pacifying Buddha secondary image house Wat Phra That
Also in the grounds of the Wat, a magnificent Scripture Tower called Ho Tham
In a far corner, the oldest evidence of the foundation of the Wat - the
tiered Suwanna Chedi from 13th century was originally gold plated.
Every sacred site marked by devotional flowers and burning incense.
Before leaving the Wat we view a ceremonial relic carriage, so
reminiscent of another relic - the Coronation Coach in London
and near the exit a strange case of compatability, that puts one in mind of
Rogers and Hammerstein's Oh the Farmer and the Cowboy can be Friends
Another older Lamphun monastery Wat Ku Kut
In the Wat Ku Kut Temple a copy of the Emerald Buddha
The interior of the Wat glitters with new mosaic pillars
that, even in a monastery explains the lust in lustre.
Driving home was a delight driving along the great avenue of mature
yang trees that line at least half of the 26 kilometre journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment