Wat Puak Hong Wiharn 2017 Panorama

Wat Puak Hong Wiharn 2017 Panorama

Wat Puak Hong is a neat little temple within the old walls of Chiang Mai, built in the 17th century. Puak Hong means "Flock of Swans". The temple's viharn is an attractive Lanna style building with a three tiered roof, the ends of the barge boards adorned with golden stylized Naga serpents. At the roof top are chofah, a bird like ornamental element representing Garuda, a creature half man, half bird from Hindu mythology.

The rectangular wooden panels on the front gable carved with Lanna style flower motifs are similar in style as those of the Viharn Lai Kham of the Wat Phra Singh temple. The entrance door is adorned with intricate wood carvings of Vishnu, the Hindu God in the typical Lanna gold and ochre colors. Over the door is a Dhamma wheel, which represents the Buddha’s teachings. Likewise, the wooden window panels are adorned with intricate carvings of several Buddhist depictions, with a Dhamma wheel over it.