Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang is on the corner of Phra Pokklao and Phra Singh Rds, contains a very large and venerable chedi dating from 1441. It’s now in partial ruins, damaged either by earthquake or by the cannon fire of King Taksin during the recapture of Chiang Mai from the Burmese.

The Emerald Buddha was placed in the eastern niche here in 1475. The Lakmeuang of the city is within the wat. There are also some impressive dipterocarp trees on the grounds.
One of the best times to see this chedi is during the wian tian ceremony. ( One of the main Buddhist festival days.)
The large viharn was built in 1928. Round columns with bell shaped bases and lotus finials support the high red ceiling inside. The standing Buddha image inside is known as the Phra Chao Attarot. Made of a combination of brass alloy and mortar, the image dates back to King Saen Muang Ma. Buddhist posters are placed along the walls between the windows.Cabinets with Buddha images and Bencharong ceramics line the walls.
The cross shaped hall to the south of the main viharn contains the city pillar. Statues in small shelters surrounding this building are homes of guardian spirits. Legends say that a hermit went to the God Indra to ask for protection for the city from enemies. On condition that appropriate offerings were made, Indra permitted two kumaphan to carry the Inthakhin pillar from the Tavatimsa heaven to the city.

Chao Kawila moved the city pillar to its present site from Wat Sadoe Muang in 1800. He built statues of the kumaphan under shelters to the north and south of the main entrance to the temple. He also planted the three large yang trees.

The tree nearest the city pillar will protect Chiang Mai as long as it is not cut down. Other buildings in the compound include the Lanna campus of the Mahamakut Buddhist University (This is the northern campus for monks of the Thammayut sect, a reformist sect founded by King Mongkut, who was dissatisfied with the established Mahanikai sect). To the west of the chedi is a viharn with a reclining Buddha and the Sangkhachai Buddha.