Wat Muang Mai

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Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Wat Muang Mai Na Pang, Phu Pieng, Nan. Wat Muang Mai is a royal Buddhist monastery of the Maha Nikaya sect. It was officially recognized as a temple in 1872 (B.E. 2415) and was granted wisungkhamsima (the consecrated boundary for ordination) in 1919 (B.E. 2462).

 

Originally, Wat Muang Mai was located at the current site of Ban Muang Mai School. The reason for its relocation is unknown, but the temple was moved to its present location in 1872 (B.E. 2415 or C.S. 1234), as documented on the side of the Tripitaka chest (a chest used for storing Buddhist scriptures).

 

There is also an inscription under the base of a Buddha image indicating that the first abbot at the new location was Phra Athikan Phichai Abhipuñño. After his passing, he was succeeded by a monk known as Phra Yan or Ban Bhikkhu (Kru Ba Yana) as the abbot.

 

In 1915 (B.E. 2458 or C.S. 1277), the temple’s vihara (main hall) was renovated, as evidenced by an inscription on a bell hanging beneath the gable apex of the current vihara. It also mentions that a grand celebration was held to mark the occasion, with Chao Uttarakarn, a noble official serving the ruling prince of Nan, presiding over the ceremony.

 

In 1919 (B.E. 2462), Wat Muang Mai built its ordination hall (ubosot) and was granted wisungkhamsima. The luknimit (boundary stones) were buried, and a celebration was held for the completion of the ubosot in the same year.