Wat Chang Lom

Wat Chang Lom. “Temple Surrounded by Elephants”. [Only the English inscription posted here] , Situated outside the city wall to the east, and north of Mae Lam Phan canal, this temple is a large group of ancient monuments on a vast area of land (100 m. x 157 m.), enclosed by a ditch. The temple consists of the main bell-shaped chedi with 32 elephant sculptures around its base, an assembly hall (vihãra) enshrining a Buddha image which is now in ruins, an ordination hall (Ubosatha) surrounded by water in accordance with the concept of Udaka Sima, subordinate chedis, and a boundary wall and moat enclosing the whole temple. A stone inscription found at this temple reveals the story of a nobleman known as Phanom Sai Dam, husband of a wet nurse named Thet. He was very loyal to Phra Maha Dharmarãja Li Thai and, to follow in the king's footsteps, entered the monkhood. When his king passed away in 1384 A.D., he gave a piece of land to build a vihãra and scripture hall, made a Buddha image, and planted a Phra Si Maha Pho (Bodhi) tree. He also made a stone Buddha image in dedication to the dead consort of Phra Maha Dharmarãja Li Thai.