Wat Mueang Len

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Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Wat Mueang Len Nai Wiang, Muang Nan, Nan. Wat Mueang Len is located on the western bank of the Nan River, between Wat Tha Chang and Wat Don Kaew, approximately 2 kilometers from the city center. The temple belongs to the Mahanikaya sect of Thai Buddhism. It is situated on land deed number 15517, book number 156, page 17, in Nai Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Nan District, Nan Province, with a total area of approximately 3 rai, 2 ngan, and 46 square wah. The land title was issued on January 4, B.E. 2526 (1983).

 

The boundaries of the temple are approximately 1 sen and 7 wa to the north, adjacent to a public road; 1 sen and 10 wa to the south, bordering Mano Road; 1 sen and 6 wa to the east, also adjacent to Mano Road; and 1 sen and 6 wa to the west, next to another public road.

 

The temple grounds include several structures such as the ordination hall (ubosot) or vihara, monks’ living quarters (kuti), a multipurpose pavilion, bell tower, library, kitchen pavilion, and a museum featuring traditional Nan-style longboats and local antiques. The principal Buddha image enshrined here is in the Maravijaya posture, made of brick and mortar, with a lap width of 72 inches and a length of 109 inches.

 

Wat Mueang Len was constructed over 2,440 Buddhist years ago. It was officially granted the Wisungkhamsima (monastic boundary for ordination) on August 27, B.E. 2527 (1984), covering an area of 30 meters in width and 60 meters in length.

 

In the past, the temple was administered by Phra Thanom Kittisaro, Phra Vinai Buddhavirio, Phra Athikan Suwit Jittapasado, and Phra Athikan Mongkhontawi Techawanno. Since October 29, B.E. 2534 (1991), the temple has been under the leadership of Phra Khrunithesanthanawut (Chor.Cho.).

 

According to local legend, during the frequent wars between Thailand and Burma in ancient times, Burmese forces from Mueang Ko–Mueang Len in present-day Myanmar led an army of war elephants to invade Nan. The troops camped at the present-day Mueang Len community. Due to the extended duration of their campaigns, they engaged in farming activities in what is now known as "Thung Mueang Len," the current site of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (Nan campus). The riverbank where they bathed their elephants later became known as "Ban Tha Chang" (Elephant Pier Village).

 

The army was led by Chao Phraya Mueang Len, a devout Buddhist who established a temple during that period. Although the exact year of construction is unknown, the temple has been passed down through generations and is still known today as Wat Mueang Len, or by its traditional names, Wat Phaya Mueang Len and Wat Chao Luang Mueang Len.