Wat U-Mong temple is located at the foothill of DoiSuthep-Pui Mountain which is the natural boundary between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). There are three entrances which are like the Pukam Art of Burma. The bell-shaped pagoda is early Lanna architecture (about 19th century of the Buddhist era) influenced by Langka architecture from India. The pagoda and U-Mong (tunnel) were abandoned for a long time, though people in Chiang Mai knew that Wat U-Mong temple was old and a sacred place because of the temple and pagoda with damaged walls and a museum which kept old relics.
At 140 cm (55 inches) wide 14 meters (46 feet) long and 180 cm (71 inches) high, the tunnel was decorated with murals in a brown color covered with the land and sand from the tunnel itselfl. When the limestone layer was removed, the brown became vermilion red as they were painted 500 years agO.
The ruins of this old temple are not that spectacular. However, a visit is definitely worthwhile. The place is very well situated within the forest. It was established in 1355-1385 by King Kuna as a meditation place for a famous monk. The compound has a rare statue of the starving Buddha next to the Chedi. There's also access to an open zoo in the back of the temple grounds. The little lake west of the temple contains numerous catfish and turtles.
No comments:
Post a Comment