Wat Cham Devi

The unique square chedi of Wat Cham Devi.

Some of the statues on the chedi.

 
Just a short distance outside of the old city moat west of Lamphun is the temple of Cham Devi. The temple was founded in 755, but most of the temple's buildings are relatively modern and uninteresting. However, the temple is extremely significant for its two unusual chedis, both built around 1218.

The largest of the two is a very unusual square 'stepped pyramid' shaped stupa. It is the oldest surviving example of this type, from the Dvaravati period which ruled much of what is now Thailand from the sixth to eleventh centuries.

Each tier of the chedi is lined with standing Buddha images, 60 in all. Each of the images is in a different pose and framed by an elaborate arch. The stupa is supposed to contain the ashes of Queen Chama Devi.

The alter within the main wiharn.

A small wiharn at the back of the temple.

 
Adjacent to the large chedi is the main prayer hall with its large Buddha image sitting on a brightly decorated alter. Set against the line of columns on one side of the hall are three smaller Buddha images cast in colored glass. You'll note that each of the images is costumed differently, representing the three seasons observed in Thailand.