Photo Gallery

Wat Phumin (founded 1596, renovated 1867-75)

Wat Phumin is said to have been founded in 1596 during the reign of Chao Chetabutprohmin. However, its present form dates from the reconstruction that took place from 1867 to 1875 during the reign of Chao Anantaworaritthidej. Like many wats built in the Nan and Yom valleys, Wat Phumin combines the functions of a viharn and ubosot in one building. The wat is unusually designed with a cruciform layout with entrances facing four directions. The east and west entrances are reached through simple staircases, but the north and south approaches are flanked by naga balustrades that extend well beyond the bulk of the building.

The interior of the wat is dominated by a cluster of four buddhas sitting back to back to one another, each facing one of the entrances. Surrounding the buddhas are twelve enormous teak pillars supporting the roof, with eight at the outer corners of the cruciform and four at the inner corners.

The most notable feature of the wat are the mural paintings covering nearly the entire wall surface of the interior. The murals depict scenes from the jataka tales (the past lives of the Buddha) along with numerous scenes of daily life in Lanna during the late 19th century.