Rating: 2.9/5 (7 votes)

Opening days: Daily

Opening hours: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Wat Nad located at 116 Ban Nad, Village No. 4, Chaiwatthana Subdistrict, Pua District, Nan Province, is an ancient temple of great historical and cultural significance to the local community. Although no definitive records state the exact year of its establishment, oral history passed down through generations consistently affirms that this temple has stood for centuries and served as a center of faith since ancient times.

 

According to local history, Wat Nad was likely established during the period when the Lanna Kingdom was under Burmese rule, roughly between 1560 and 1785 CE (B.E. 2103–2328). This was a time of significant political and religious change. Consequently, the temple was not only a place for religious practice but also served as a center for education, cultural preservation, and spiritual unity among the people.

 

The temple’s architecture reflects the refined elegance of traditional Lanna art. The viharn (main hall) and chedi (stupa) retain their original styles, featuring a three-tiered roof, intricately carved wooden gables, and a principal Buddha image in the Lanna artistic tradition—all echoing the deep cultural roots of the community.

 

Today, Wat Nad continues to play a vital role in the daily lives of the local people. The abbot, Phra Khru Nanta Khemakhun, who also holds the position of District Ecclesiastical Chief of Pua, is widely respected. He not only teaches the Dhamma but also leads initiatives to develop both the temple and the community—spiritually and materially.

 

Wat Nad is, therefore, not merely a sacred site, but a living embodiment of history, belief, and culture—woven together through the relationship between the people and Buddhism. It stands as a cultural treasure well worth preserving and passing on to future generations.