Wat Prasat

Temple in Chiang Mai

CC BY-SA 4.0 / กสิณธร ราชโอรส

Wat Prasat is a historic temple established in the 16th century, notable for its unique architectural features, including a tunnel or chamber that connects the viharn to the chedi where the principal Buddha image is housed.

The Viharn

The viharn at Wat Prasat is a prime example of Lanna architecture, with a distinctive multi-tiered roof made of teak and stone, predominantly in dark brown tones. Unlike many other temples, which are lavishly decorated with gold and red, Wat Prasat’s viharn exudes a more restrained and traditional aesthetic. The entrance is flanked by two nagas draped along the balustrade, crafted in plain stone without color. The gable end of the viharn is adorned with floral motifs and animal figures, although the gilt has faded over time. The roof features three tiers, each divided into two sections, with naga bargeboards and chofas at the apex. The front bargeboards are decorated with bright blue and gold, while the others have faded. Inside, the viharn’s interior features stout teak pillars with red lacquer and gilt floral patterns, along with wooden walls and windows. The altar behind the Buddha image reveals a hidden alcove, where the main Buddha image is enshrined in a white statue in the Subduing Mara pose, accompanied by smaller images including a replica of the Emerald Buddha.

The Chedi

Wat Prasat has two chedis, one of which is linked to the viharn by a tunnel. This old chedi is a curious structure with a central box and three large protruding niches that create a cruciform shape. Each niche contains a large sitting Buddha in white. The chedi’s roof features four mondop-style towers, topped with gilt umbrellas in the Burmese style. The second, new chedi, has a square base with niches on each side, although they are currently empty. This chedi is topped by a small stucco bell and a gilt finial, with the entire structure covered in plain white stucco. The ambulatory around the chedi features small stucco towers, possibly serving as sema markers for the ubosot, though these markers have not yet been set.

The Ubosot and Other Features

The ubosot at Wat Prasat is a more recent addition, with vibrant decorations including two makaras on the balustrade, spewing nagas from their mouths. The front gable is richly adorned with gilt floral motifs, and the door features intricate carvings of rural scenes with figures and animals. The roof has two tiers with naga bargeboards and an elegant chofa finial at the apex. In addition to the viharn and chedi, Wat Prasat has a ho rakang (bell tower) located near the viharn. The two-story bell tower is highly ornate, with gilt bargeboards, naga heads, and chofas at the apex, and small wind bells suspended from the chofas. The roof is topped by a gilt umbrella finial, completing the decorative grandeur of the temple complex.

The Wat Prasat appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Chiang Mai!

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