Sri Muang Temple

Terrain

General Condition

Wat Si Muang is a temple that is still in use. Located in Nong Khai Province and in Nong Khai Municipality. Surrounding the temple is an urban community. There are densely populated houses and buildings. The area is a plain on the west bank of the Mekong River caused by the deposition of sediments. Currently, the temple is located about 100 meters south of the Mekong River.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Mekong River

Geological conditions

Mekong River sediment deposition during the Holocene period

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Wat Si Muang is now a Rat Temple. Affiliated with Maha Nikaya The history of the creation is unclear. But according to the history of the temple said Built in 2100 or 2120 by Phra Chai Chettha of the Lan Xang Kingdom, built at the swamp where he prayed to catch a white dove. Along with creating a standing Buddha image with a body called the temple name. "Wat Muang Nong" later, around 2450 B.E., it was renamed. “Wat Si Muang” received the last Wisung Kham Sima award in 1991.

Important archaeological evidence inside Wat Si Muang is Phra Chai Chettha, Prasat-shaped or Ku Chedi. Sacred Buddha image or Luang Pho Si Muang and inscriptions of the Lan Chang period.

Important archaeological evidence within the temple are all within the chapel. The ordination hall should be a new chapel built on top of the original chapel according to the influence from the central region. but still retains the local art form or Lan Xang art especially the animals decorated on the roof ridge The chapel faces east.

Phra Chai Chettha enshrined inside the ubosot It is a standing Buddha image in the posture of opening the world. masonry paint all gold There is a back support plate. two arms attached to his body holding a robe covering the end of a curved robe The hand appears in the Lan Xang influenced vernacular art form. Age can be determined around the 22nd-23rd Buddhist century (Prapat Chuwichian 2014)

Luang Por Sri Muang (Phra Buddha Satthika) enshrined as the president in the chapel It looks like a bronze Buddha image sitting cross-legged. Demonstrating the subduing Mara on the base pyramidal face Big Buddha There is a line connecting the edge of the two mouths and the edge of the Nasik. Small era beads, flame shaped, pointed occupy a robe There is a large slaughtered man at the end of the cut. His fingers are always slender. The base is a lion's leg with a lotus base, glass beads, perforated chicken breast (Prapat Chuwichian 2014).

At the front base, there are 6 lines of Tham Isan inscription, specifying 1125 Chulachak (corresponding to A.D. 1763). It is important that Queen Mother Khattiyaworakanya Chao Casting this Buddha image named Satthika in Wat Klang Luang, Chanthaburi. Ready to set a prayer

From the text, it is understood that this statue was transported from Vientiane. (Some documents indicate that they moved later 1826)

Prasat-shaped chedi (Ku) or Phra Chai Chettha bird cage inside the ubosot Behind the Buddha image It looks like a Mondop Hall building or a castle-shaped chedi or Ku. It was built to enshrine a Buddha image inside. Brick masonry It's in a square recess. The top is a sloping roof decorated with stucco designs. especially the image of a naga or dragon with four sides Very similar to the castle or Ku of Lanna art. Age in the 21st - 22nd Buddhist century (Prapat Chuwichian 2014)

Inscription Located in front or on the east side of the chapel Adjacent to the balcony fence, made of sandstone, is an inscription that was moved from Wat Silalek, Tha Bo District, Nong Khai Province. came to this temple for a long time (Wat Silalek is in Wiang Khuk an ancient city about 20 kilometers west along the Mekong River)

The inscription is a sandstone slab. High sema shape, with inscriptions on 1 side (quite fuzzy), inscribed with 40 lines of Thai Noi characters, indicating Chula Racha 928 (corresponding to A.D. 2109). Phra Chai Chetthathirat ordered the construction of Wat Sri Suphan Aram. and dedicate the land Slave the opportunity to the temple and cursed the destroyer of those objects.

The edges and back of the current inscription are painted red. while the side with the inscription appeared a speckled red stain.

Lak Muang (Lak Muang) Looks like 2 sandstone parapets stacked in front or on the east side outside the balcony fence of the chapel. or in front of the inscription It is located inside a small court called City Pillar Shrine The exact origin is unknown.

The City Pillar or the front parapet is small, about 50 centimeters in height (only above the court floor). With a height of about 150 centimeters, now both of the parapets are painted red with various offerings. Placed around and on the city pillar

In addition, the temple area is also the location of “The Chedi Museum Phra Thammatrilokachan (Rak Rewato)” Former Priest and Abbot of Wat Sri Muang Inside exhibits wax figures, statues, biographies, Attaborikan and objects of Phra Thammalokachan. It is also a place to contain your ashes.