Wat Mahawan (วัดมหาวัน)

Thai. Name of an old Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai built in a mixture of Lan Na, Thai Yai and Burmese styles, including the presence of a hintha pillar, i.e. a large freestanding column topped by an effigy of a hintha (fig.), believed to be an earlier incarnation of the Buddha and said to publicize peace. There is no evidence of its construction, but it is believed to be one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai, built in the prehistoric era. It was renovated during the reign of Chao Kawila (fig.), some time after this ruler in 1775 AD restored independence from Burma, after its of occupation of over 200 years, whereas the principal Buddha statue in the main hall dates from 1867 AD. Akin to most temples in Myanmar, this temple also features a statue of Shin Thiwali (fig.), a deified Burmese Buddhist monk, as well as of Shin U Pagok (fig.), a Burmese deity who presides over any body of water, while both the viharn and the main pagoda are guarded by Burmese-style mythological lions known as chintha, which in Thai are referred to as singha (fig.). See also list of Thai kings, TRAVEL PHOTOS (1) and (2), as well as MAP. 回