Wat Sri Khun Muang
(วัดศรีคุนเมือง เลย)
Loei
    “Wat Sri Khun Muang” or “Wat Yai” is one of the important religious places of local people. It is situated on Chai Khong Road between Alley Sri Chiang Khan 6 and Sri Chiang Khan 7. It was built in 1942. It has been the ancient temple of Chiang Khan for a long time. On every Buddhist holy days and important Buddhist days, this temple is crowded with a lot of people including local people and tourists. They came to give food offerings to monks and listen to sermons.

    When you pass the wall and enter the temple’s area, you will see the ancient monastery with descending roof in Lanna art style. There are wall paintings in the monastery, telling the story about the ten existences of Buddha. There are also the paintings of Tuk Tuk vin the lower part of the paintings. Therefore, it is assumed that it was repainted or added in later period.

    In the monastery, you will see the wooden Buddha statue in the position of forgiveness covered with gold. It was made in Lan Chang or Laotian art style. It is assumed to be built in the 24th – 25th Buddhist century. For women, the pray to this Buddha statue, they can only do on the floor before the monk’s seats.

    Before leaving, take a look at the side of the statue. There is a “Hang Hod” or “Rang Rod”, a gutter in Suphannahong Boat shape. The front side of the gutter is the head of Naka. There will be a hole for floating waater. Hang Hod is used in the bathing ceremony of senior monks or governors which is very rare nowadays.