Wat Hua Khuang

Rating: 3.8/5 (4 votes)

Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Wat Hua Khuang Nai Wiang, Muang Nan, Nan. Wat Hua Khuang, affiliated with the Mahanikaya monastic sect, occupies a land area of 2 rai, 1 ngan, and 10 square wah.

 

The temple grounds house various religious structures, including the ubosot (ordination hall), monks’ living quarters, and sacred Buddha images. Wat Hua Khuang was established in 1882 (B.E. 2425) and received its official consecrated boundary (wisungkhamsima) in 1482 (B.E. 2025). The sima boundary measures 12 meters in width and 25 meters in length.

 

The temple is currently under the administration of Phra Kru Phiset Nanthawut, who also serves as the Ecclesiastical District Head of Nai Wiang Subdistrict, Zone 2. Located near Ho Kham (the Nan National Museum), Wat Hua Khuang features a vihara (assembly hall) and a chedi (stupa).

 

The temple’s architecture showcases distinctive Lanna-style craftsmanship, particularly from the Nan school, known for its delicate and refined artistry. The temple was originally built under the patronage of Chao Anantaworaritthidet, a former ruler of Nan. Around 1929 (B.E. 2472), during the reign of Chao Mahaphon Surathada, the last ruler of Nan, the vihara was enhanced. The gable is beautifully adorned with intricate wooden carvings in floral motifs.

 

The window and door frames feature stucco reliefs shaped like lettuce leaves—an interpretation of Western decorative influences uniquely adapted by local Nan artisans. The temple also houses an old ho trai (scripture hall), which resembles a smaller, taller vihara. The upper façade and gables are adorned with finely carved wooden panels.

 

Situated near the chedi, Wat Hua Khuang is considered part of Nan’s historic core or “inner ring.” It has been restored through the support of the Fine Arts Department, the Nan Municipality, and public donations, resulting in a beautifully landscaped temple that attracts many visitors.

 

The ho trai is a tall rectangular building with an enclosed ground floor and a single stairway entrance. Its upper walls are made of wood with one window on each side except the back. The gabled roof has multi-tiered layers in the pan ya style, topped with decorative elements like chofa and bai raka.

 

This scripture hall blends Lanna and Burmese architectural styles. It was constructed in 1930 (B.E. 2473) under the leadership of Chao Mahaphon Surathada and with contributions from his children, relatives, the temple community, and faithful townspeople. Phra Ano, then the abbot of Wat Hua Khuang, served as the spiritual leader of the construction effort.

 

Among the sacred images is a bronze Buddha in the Maravijaya (Victory over Mara) posture. The facial features reflect a blend of stylistic influences, with similarities to Phra Chao Thong Thip. The robe’s hemline appears short due to the elongated torso, which enhances the slender body proportions—similar to Buddha images at Wat Phra That Chang Kham Worawihan. Both date to the first half of the 21st Buddhist century (approx. 15th century CE).

 

Another image depicts the Buddha in the Meditation posture, with an oval face, arched eyebrows, downcast eyes, a prominent nose, and long narrow lips. The large curls of hair culminate in a flame-like ushnisha. The robe is worn over one shoulder, exposing one breast, with a straight-cut hem. The base is curved in front and supported by three legs.

 

The chedi of Wat Hua Khuang, located within the temple grounds in Nai Wiang Subdistrict, is built in the prasat (palatial) style influenced by Lanna art. The square base supports two tiers of lotus moldings with a middle platform. The upper molding is indented to transition into the thammat tier, which ends in a triple-layered lotus mold beneath the bell-shaped dome. Each face of the thammat has an arched niche housing a bronze Buddha image in the Maravijaya posture. Stucco images of deities in full regalia stand in reverence at each corner.

 

Above, the triple lotus mold base leads to the small, bell-shaped dome with no throne. The overall design resembles the chedi at Wat Lok Moli in Chiang Mai, built around B.E. 2071 (1528 CE) during the reign of Phra Mueang Ket Klao. However, the base and lotus mold tiers at Wat Hua Khuang are taller and slimmer, reflecting an artistic evolution by Nan artisans during a later period—likely dating to no earlier than the first half of the 22nd Buddhist century.