Thursday, July 10, 2014

 

               WAT NANTARAM A LOCAL GEM IN CHIANG KHAM



               In Chiang Kham some 20km. distant from Lana Thai Villa is the
               exquisite and  unique Shan style temple, Wat Nantaram.There
               is no precise date available  for the founding of a temple at this
               site which served the Thai Yai community.  Before, the temple was
               known as Wat Chong Kha. Chong in Tai Yai means temple. Also in
               ancient times the temple roof was covered with Ya Kha or woven
               grass.Pho Mong Pho Khin donated more than three rai in order to
               establish the temple. Tai Yai Buddhists established the temple on
               the orders of the chief Pho Thao Ubon.  The temple was to be a 
               monastery for the monks.  It became generally known as Wat Chong 
               Neua or temple of the north as it was located in the north of Chiang
               Kham municipality.
   
                In 1924 Mae Nang Cham Hoeng donated more than 5 rais to enlarge 
                the temple area. A Shan man named Pho Thao Nanta was an
                ancestor of the Wonganan family. He was very rich but believed in and  
                respected the Buddhism. He had the regular habit of spending the rainy
                season alone in the temple. He was greatly respected by the Thai 
                Yai and was given the name Pho Chong Taka Nanta. Pho Chong 
                means the creator and Taka is the man who was a good Buddhist
                and who participates in the rains  retreat. Pho Thao Nanta donated the
                money to repair the present viharn. Wang Anan created the new viharn
                to replace the one with the roof of Ya Kha. 

                Workers were employed to design and build the new viharn which was
                constructed entirely from teak wood in the Shan style. The temple has
                a series of superimposed  roofs covered with wooden tiles. The ceiling
                is decorated with colored glass patterns. The supporting pillars are
                rendered in black lacquer designs  over a  gold base color. At the time the
                budget for the project was Bt.45,000. 
 
                In  consequence of all his good works the temple was renamed
                Wat Nantaram to honor Pho Thao Nanta and his family Wonganan. As
                the area is now populated by a majority of people of Tai Lue ancestry                                   the overall Shan style of the viharn is overlaid with Tai Lue motifs such
                as the sun ray or peacock design over the front entrance.

                After completing the viharn, Pho Thao Nanta,  searched for a principal 
                Buddha image to install in the temple. In 1933 he found an image from 
                the deserted temple of Wat Chong Me Tha located in Ban Don Keao            

                Public Health Center, Oi,Amphur  Pong. The wooden image is in the
                position of subduing Mara sometimes known as the "earth witness"
                Buddha for when the demon Mara and his army tried to frighten and
                tempt the Buddha the demon Mara and his army tried to frighten and 
                from his meditation but the earth roared its witness to his not Mara's 
                enlightenment. This image is decorated in the Shan style. The Buddha is 
                sitting on a pedestal of wood with a perforated back piece decorated
                with colored glass which is interlaced with angels and mythic animals.
                As the image was located 50-60 kilometers  distant it took numerous
                villagers one week to transport the image both on foot and by boat.

                In 1934, 10 years after beginning the restoration Pho Thao Nanta made
                a celebration of 15 days from March 1 - 15. Many events were  held including                 donations,  entertainment and they have made donations of necessities to
                poor people.This was the first time for the new temple to engage in good
                works. 

                Also within the temple precincts are an ubolsot which is richly decorated 
                with colored  glass. Behind the ubolsot is a newly constructed chedhi which
                has been built over a smaller chedhi of older construction.  It should be noted
                that the viharn also houses additional Buddha images of interest as well as
                typical temple furnishings and ceremonial objects. A small museum is
                located in the rear of the viharn. Also on the grounds are a Chinese and an
                Indian shrine the latter featuring a statue of Ganesh.

                 The scale and presentation of the temple is unique in Thailand making a
                 visit to this temple a special experience. The grounds are quiet and are
                 well cared for. Lanna Thai Villa is only 20km. away making this a good
                 element of a day trip to local sites of interest.
                 
                
Wat Nantaram Exterior
                                                                                  
Superimposed Roof Line
                                                                                  
Detail Showing Surviving Original Color of Wood
                                                                                  
Chinthe or Guardian Lion at Entrance
                                                                                  
Tai Lue Style Sun Ray
                                                                                 
Interior View of Wat Nantaram With Teak Columns
Main Altar
Principal Buddha Image
                                                                          
Decorated Panel Behind Buddha Image
                                                                                
Decorative Trim Around Base of Buddha Platform
                                                                             
Roof Detail
                                                                             
Roof Decoration
                                                                              
Roof Decoration
                                                                                
Ubolsot
                                                                                 
Ubolsot Window Detail
                                                                              
Old Chedhi Inside New Chedhi
                                                                                 
Decorations Inside Chedhi
                                                                                 
Chinese Oriented Shrine at Wat Nantaram
                                                                               
Statue of Ganesh at Wat Nantaram

  

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