Lanna Happenings

   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.