Wat Sri Suphan
| Wat Sri Suphan | |
|---|---|
 The ordination hall | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Theravada Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | 100 Wua Lai Rd, Haiya Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai |
| Country | Thailand |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | King Mueang Kaeo |
| Completed | 1509 |
Wat Sri Suphan (Thai: วัดศรีสุพรรณ, RTGS: Wat Si Suphan) is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. It is situated on Wualai Road, Haiya district, in the southern part of the old city. It is known as the "Silver Temple" because its ordination hall was constructed using silver, aluminium and nickel.
History[edit]
Wat Sri Suphan was founded around 1500 during the reign of King Mueang Kaeo of the Mangrai Dynasty (1292–1558).[1] Within ten years, the assembly hall, the ordination hall, and the pagoda (Phra Wihan Borommathai) had been completed, and the Buddha image (Phra Phutthapatitam) consecrated.[2] Little remains of the original buildings except some teak pillars and supports which can be seen in the new assembly hall.[3]
The temple is situated in Haiya district, the traditional silversmith area of the city where workshops continue to operate.[4] Their craftsmanship was celebrated when the temple's striking new ordination hall was completed using silver, nickel, and aluminium panelling, and featuring extensive, decorative metalwork sculpting and repoussé work. The ordination hall is in active use and women are barred from entering.[3][5]
In 2022, the pagoda, which had previously formed a large crack, collapsed following heavy rain. In the remains many Buddhist artefacts were discovered which had been placed inside the structure.[1] The collapse was attributed to the later addition of an outer cement shell that was painted over with gold construction paint, which added weight and trapped moisture in the original earthen core.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Panumate Tanraksa, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Culture Ministry seeks swift repairs to collapsed pagoda". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "Wat Si Suphan". www.tourismthailand.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ a b "Wat Srisuphan | Chiang Mai, Thailand | Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Pumketkao-Lecourt, Pijika; Teeraparbwong, Komson; Tansukanun, Pranom (2022). "Silver craft and Buddhist temple in the shaping of neighbourhood communities in Wua-Lai, Chiang Mai, Thailand: Asia Pacific Viewpoint". Asia Pacific Viewpoint. 63 (3): 379–395. doi:10.1111/apv.12355.
- ^ Morgan, Alana MorganAlana. "Wat Sri Suphan". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "กรมศิลป์ชี้ เจดีย์ถล่มมีสัญญาณมาก่อน ทาสีทองทำความชื้นระเหยไม่ได้ มีรอยแตก ฝนซึมสะสม ก่อนพัง". Matichon Online (in Thai). 30 September 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2024.