In the center of Lamphun town near the Mae Kuang river is the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a very large temple with numerous structures dating from different periods. The name of the Wat translates to “Temple of the Sacred Hariphunchai Relic”.

In the center of Lamphun town near the Mae Kuang river is the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a very large temple with numerous structures dating from different periods. The name of the Wat translates to “Temple of the Sacred Hariphunchai Relic”.

Lamphun is one of Thailand’s oldest cities. It was founded in the 9th century and was the capital of the Mon Kingdom Hariphunchai.

The Lanna style Wat Phra That Hariphunchai was built on the site of an earlier 9th century Mon temple and houses one of the very few remaining examples of Mon architecture in Thailand.

According to legend, the temple was founded in 1150 by a Hariphunchai King, to enshrine a Buddha relic found in the Palace garden. It was built on the spot where the Palace of the first ruler of the Hariphunchai Kingdom, Queen Chamadevi used to be.

At the end of the 13th century, Hariphunchai was besieged by King Mengrai who brought Lamphun into the Lanna Kingdom. About mid-15th century, the temple was renovated and expanded with a number of Lanna style structures.

Structures of the temple

The grounds contain numerous structures, including several chedis. An arched entrance gate guarded by large red lions gives access to the square walled grounds.

 

Phra Maha That Chedi enshrining relics of the Buddha

The temple derives its name from the Phra Maha That Chedi, that was built to enshrine relics of the Buddha. The Lanna style chedi was built mid-15th century when Lamphun was part of the Lanna Kingdom. It is   with copper plates and topped with a multi-tiered golden umbrella weighing 6½ kilos. The 46-meter-high chedi encases a much smaller 9thcentury Mon stupa. The chedi sits inside a square fenced space, not accessible to visitors. The gilded parasols at each of its four corners were added early 19th century. (https://www.renown-travel.com/temples/wat-phra-that-hariphunchai.html)