Wat Si Khom Kham

{{Infobox religious building

| name = Wat Si Khom Kham

| native_name =

| image = วัดศรีโคมคำ(2).JPG

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Phra Chao Ton Luang

| map_type = Thailand

| map_size =

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Temple location in Thailand

| location = Phayao, Phayao Province

| coordinates = {{coord|19|10|36|N|99|53|23|E|display=inline,title}}

| religious_affiliation = Theravada Buddhism

| deity =

| country = Thailand

| functional_status =

| website =

| founded_by =

| year_completed = 12th century

}}

Wat Si Khom Kham ({{langx|th| วัดศรีโคมคำ}}) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Phayao town, Phayao Province, Thailand. The temple hosts the largest Chiang Saen era Buddha statue in the country.{{cite book | last1 = Williams | first1 = China | last2 = Beales | first2 = Mark | last3 = Bewer | first3 = Tim | title = Lonely Planet Thailand | edition = 14th | publisher = Lonely Planet Publications | date = February 2012 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741797145/page/334 334] | isbn = 978-1-74179-714-5 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741797145/page/334 }} Wat Si Khom Kham is located on the shores of Phayao Lake.

History

The founding of Wat Si Khom Kham dates to sometime in the 12th century.{{cite book | title = Thailand (Eyewitness Travel Guides) | edition = 1st American | publisher = DK Publishing, Inc. | year= 1997 | pages = 242| isbn = 0-7894-1949-1 }} The present structure was completed in 1923. The central large Buddha statue was cast during the years 1491 to 1524.{{cite web | title = Wat Si Khom Kham | url = http://www.tourismthailand.org/see-do-thip/attraction-detail?attraction_id=4322 | publisher= Tourism Authority of Thailand | accessdate = 5 June 2013}}

Architecture and art

The temple's wihan hosts a {{convert|16|m}} high, {{convert|14|m}} wide Buddha statue (Phra Chao Ton Luang) in the angular local style of the 15th and 16th centuries.{{cite book | last1 = Gray | first1 = Paul | last2 = Ridout | first2 = Lucy | title = Thailand - The Rough Guide | edition = 2nd | publisher = Rough Guides Limited | year= 1995 | pages = 278 | isbn = 1-85828-140-7 }} Surrounding the wihan are 38 Buddha heads, some cast in the local Phayao pink sandstone, dating from the 14th century.{{cite book | last = Stratton | first = Carol | title = Buddhist Sculpture of Northern Thailand | publisher = Serindia Publications, Inc. | year= 2004 | pages = 231 | isbn = 978-1-93247-609-5}}

Another temple wihan has been built on stilts over the lake. It hosts murals painted by Thai artist Angkarn Kalayanapong. The murals are in Lanna style with some contemporary features.

Mythology

Legend has it that the site for Wat Si Khom Kham was chosen by the Buddha himself. While he was seeking shelter from the sun, a tree grew miraculously on this spot from a seed planted by a bird.

References

Category:Buddhist temples in Phayao province

Category:Tourist attractions in Phayao province

Category:Thai Theravada Buddhist temples and monasteries