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Wat Pong Sanuk Temple in Lampang, Thailand

Wat Pong Sanuk (วัดปงสนุก)

Lampang – opening the legend of “Wat Pong Sanuk” of Kelang Nakhon The only dharma place of Thailand which has just received the “Award of Merit” award from UNESCO in 2008, revealing the route of preserving art and culture – old architecture. The only remaining in the country from the community-state.

Wat Pong Sanuk or Wat Pong Sanuk Nuea Located in Wiang Nuea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province, has been an important temple with Lampang Province for a long time. It is assumed that it was built during the reign of Chao Anantayot. The son of Queen Chamadevi of Hariphunchai (Lamphun) came to build Kelang City (Lampang) in 1223 or 1,328 years ago, which on November 16 ago.

Phrakhru Sophit Khantayaporn Abbot of Pong Sanuk Temple in the North, Muang District, Lampang Province, recently received an Award of Merit for cultural heritage conservation in the Asia-Pacific region according to the 2008 Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation project from UNESCO. Dr. Richard’s knife Inglehart, Senior Advisor to UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Cultural Affairs. is the one who presents the Arak Tower award.

Uncle Manop Kanthawisut, Makka Nayok of Wat Pong Sanuk Nuea tell me that Even though he did not experience the way of life in the past for a long time with this temple but was told by a senior Thera who had studied and researched from ancient textbooks such as from palm leaves and others until they knew about the history of this temple that Wat Pong Sanuk was originally called by 4 names, namely Wat Si Chom Khlai – Wat Chiang Phum – Wat Don Kaeo – Wat Phayao.

The city pillar, the first pillar of Khelang Nakhon or Lampang Province From history found It is a name related to the history of immigration in the year 1803 when Phaya Kawila launched an army to attack Chiang Saen. which is the stronghold of Burma and forcibly forcibly brought the Chiang Saen people, who are the villagers of Ban Pong Sanuk, to settle in Lampang. including the evacuation of Phayao people who fled the Burmese war to Lampang The people of Pongsanuk, Chiang Saen and the Phayao people have set up their houses until they become villages.

The spire or Viharn Phrachao Phan Ong, or Viharn of 12 Zodiacs, or Viharn Sadok Rao. Around 1843, Chao Luang Mahawong had to restore the city of Phayao. Ruba Inthachak, the preceptor of Kruba Anochaithamchindamuni brought back Phayao people (Phayao) to evacuate, but there were still a few who refused to return. and settled with the villagers of Pongsanuk Since then, the name of the temple and the village has been left with only one name “Pong Sanuk”.

The stairs leading up to the Mekong arch Which is considered another ancient architecture of the temple. Which is waiting to receive the next restoration.

Later, the temple was divided into Wat Pong Sanuk in the north and Wat Pong Sanuk in the south. Until the year 1886 there has been a major renovation. Starting from repairing the pagoda, building a tier, and building the Mekong gate. spire or a temple of a thousand gods or a temple of 12 zodiac signs Because in the past, both the master class and the general public when there is a misfortune They will all come together to pick up all the misfortunes at this temple.

Mekong arch also found that Wat Pong Sanuk is the place where Lampang’s first city pillar is enshrined. before being enshrined at the present (old town hall) area. On the side of Mr. Anukul Siriphan, member of Lampang City Municipality and chairman of Ban Pong Sanuk Nuea community. Telling about the inspiration of the community that had to come out to restore the pagoda and the temple of a thousand gods that because the chedi as old as Doi Suthep In Chiang Mai, it is more than 500 years old, the Temple of the Thousand Buddhas. which is an old architecture collected in both the painting.

The architecture blends between Thai, Chinese, and Burmese, which is the only place in the country that has it all. began to deteriorate over time. In addition, during the year 2005, there were many foreign tourists, Thai people and groups of students from various educational institutions. Come to research the historical information of many temples. Thus, Wat Pongsanook decided to submit the matter to the Fine Arts Department for consideration. to create a project to preserve the cultural heritage Temple of the Thousand Buddhas Which was courtesy of all parties involved. reaching out to help.

Throughout the four years that have been jointly restored. The community has used religious activities as a protagonist in order to gain both the power of the community and the factors acquired in such restoration. As a result, there has been an awakening in the conservation of arts and culture in Lampang widely until now.

At present, “Wat Pong Sanuk” has become a collection of many important things that are valuable in art, culture, and architecture, such as wooden Buddha images, swan poles, Mekong arches, images of Buddha images, written on Vensantorn on cloth and paper, and chests. Ancient Dharma and a large white elephant flag in the reign of King Rama VI which the temple has brought together as a museum.

There is also a reclining Buddha chedi. Temple of the Thousand Gods The temple hall is a tetrahedron with a beautiful pattern. which is the architecture between Lanna Thai, Burma and China that remains the only one remaining of Thailand Many buildings in the country, such as Hor Kham Rai Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai Province, have been used as a template for the current construction.

The highlight of the award In terms of preserving arts and culture from UNESCO, this time, Mr. Anukul said that it was probably due to the form of restoration of the temple as well because the Fine Arts Department Almost 100% of the original material was used in the repair. Some modern architectures will be added that do not affect the main components, such as the use of a good termite repellent. making floor tiles to prevent rainwater from flowing back and seeping down, etc.

When you look, you can see that is a complete preservation of the original. making the “Art Heritage Conservation Project The architecture of the Phra Chao Pan Ong Temple”, Pong Sanuk Temple on the north side It was selected from 45 projects in 13 countries to receive the Award of Merit from the 2008 Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation from UNESCO. Not only the Pongsanuk community.

Lampang people, but also the pride of Thai people all over the country to jointly conserve and preserve cultural heritage This place to stay with Thailand forever. For guidelines on preserving this ancient site. In the future, Mr. Anukul said that the restoration will begin. Mekong arch and surrounding area first because it is now very deteriorated, afraid that if left it will cause the details to disappear and will be difficult to repair as before.