Wat Jed Lin: A Serene Lanna-Style Temple in Chiang Mai

Wat Jed Lin, also known as Wat Nong Chorin, is an ancient temple of great importance in Chiang Mai, located in the heart of the city. The temple's architecture is beautifully designed in the Lanna style, offering a serene and shady atmosphere. This temple is over 500 years old, making it a historical site that has been a part of Chiang Mai's history for a long time. It is believed to have been built in 2060 BE during the reign of King Mengrai, or King Lokapannada, as archaeological excavations by the Fine Arts Department have revealed. Within the temple grounds, there are chedis, viharas, and buildings connected to the viharas, although some are in ruins. The more intact parts include the base of the chedi and the principal Buddha image (originally only a large plaster head was found behind the vihara). Behind the vihara, there is a chedi with a mixture of a square base and a circular body, influenced by Sukhothai, with Buddha niches in all four directions, dating back to the reign of King Tilokaraj, which is a chedi style built during the time of Phraya Yod Chiang Rai, Phraya Mengrai, or thereafter. The origin of the name Wat Jed Lin comes from the large pond located behind the temple. According to history, the kings of the Mangrai dynasty would perform the Buddha Abhiseka purification ceremony at the pond of Wat Jed Lin before ascending the throne. During the ceremony, water channels or 'lin' made of gold were used, with seven 'lin' in total, and the sacred water was poured into a golden conch shell, flowing down the seven channels to bathe the royal body. Afterward, the king would change into his royal attire. Important things to see and pay respects to for blessings in life include the Lanna-style vihara housing the victorious Buddha image, Luang Por Phra Chao Tan Jai, a revered Lanna-style Buddha image known for granting wishes promptly to all who pray there. Also, there are statues of monks and the legendary Lanna creature with four ears and five eyes, which eats red-hot coals and excretes gold, symbolizing Buddhist principles, including the four Brahmaviharas and the five precepts. Wat Jed Lin, Phra Pok Klao Road, Phra Sing Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province Coordinates: https://goo.gl/maps/bUQNgXPqkDiqSB3h7 Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:00 hrs.