Design Concept and Planning Style of Vihara, Wat Phradhatu Sri Chomtong, Chiang Mai

Abstract

Wat Phradhatu Sri Jomthong is an ancient temple, which was built in 1517 of Lanna Kingdom. There is a particular architectural style sanctuary or vihara in Buddhvas zone of the temple. Ports of this sanctuary were plotted as Chaturamuk planning. Additionally, Wat Phradhatu Sri Jomthong was built to house the relics from the right part of the head of Buddha, called “Phra Takkhin Molithat”, which was important for Buddhists in the past.

This research aims to study and understand an architectural concept of design, layout of the floor plan and the portico of the sanctuary. The research method is based on a field study and secondary documents, to compare with architectural style of other sanctuaries which were built in the same period of the revival period of Lanna Kingdom.

The results show that architectural style of Wat Phradhatu Sri Chomtong is different from others, including (1) Vihara ports beside the building were designed as Chaturamuk planning. (2) There are the relics inside the sanctuary was designed following religious ritual space. The results examine that Wat Phradhatu Sri Chomtong is contrastive to others Lanna Vihara, which is the outcome of activities inside the building, following religious ceremonies. The most important ceremony is the sort of pour water of dedication which is a traditional ceremony, have been inherited since the temple was built, dissimilar to other Lanna vihara. Those elements and specification make Wat Phradhatu Sri Chomtong as individual.