Visiting Wat Matchimawat Worawihan (knows as Wat Klang) ~ Old Town Songkhla - Thailand.

In Songkhla old town, Wat Machimawawat Worawihan or 'Wat Klang' on Sai Buri Road is a large and important temple of Songkhla province. The temple was built in the late of Ayutthaya period, formerly known as “Wat Yai Srichan”, said that ‘Grandma Srichan’, a wealthy baron in Songkhla and donated money to build a temple. Then after Wat Leab was built in the North and Wat Pho in the South, people of Songkhla called Wat Srisrichan’s Temple as “Wat Klang” (Temple in the middle) in BE2431. Krom Muen Wachirayanawarot came to Songkhla changing the name of the temple to Pali “Wat Machimawat”. In the temple, there are interesting historical sites, such as the chapel that built during the reign of King Rama I, which applied a between Thai and Chinese Art that has a Marble Buddha Statue carved in China inside. This temple mixed Thai-Chinese Buddhist style, the Murals told about story of a Buddhism history that is still in perfect condition. The arch is an art carved into the stone about the Three Kingdoms, and has a Phutthasilp Museum which is a place keeping ancient Buddha images collected from Songkhla, Sathing Phra and Ranot. The museum opened every day.

I'm glad to visited here in late noon. There is some beautiful architecture and historical here worth viewing and not far from old town Songkhla. Above photo taken with Ubosot of Wat Matchimawat Worawihan is a replica of the Ubosot of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram.

The entrance and temple gate of Wat Matchimawat.

The garden and Red brick pavilion with Reusi Dat Ton painting on the wall.

The old 'Chinese Style' Pagoda of Wat Matchimawat.

Pavilion and Charlerm Prakiat building of Wat Matchimawat.

The Wiharn chapel building and White Chedi of Wat Matchimawat. This Wiharn chapel was built during the reign of King Rama I.

Bell Tower of Wat Matchimawat.

Portrait of HM King Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016) visited here temple Wat Matchimawat Worawiharn.

Another entrance and temple gate of Wat Matchimawat.

The ordination hall (Ubosot) of Wat Matchimawat Varavihara erected by the order of Chao Phraya Vichienkhiri (Boonsang Na Songkhla)), the 5th Songkhla' governor in this family, during the year BE2390-2408 (1847 - 1865), the building reflected the Rattanakosin period architectural style, It is a rectangular brick-and-mortar bullding, facing west. The roof is double-gabled with 2 layers with earthenware tiles. The columns of the Palai (veranda) support bird-wing roof with central-style roof finlals. The gable is gilded stucco decorated with colored glasses, on the west side depicted God Indra sitting on his Alravata elephant. While on the east side depicted Hindu deity Brahma sitting on the hamsa. Both the front and the back of the hall has two doors each and 7 windows on each side. Door and window facades are in the shape of traditional Thai crown. The door panels also made of wood and covered with lacquer and gold leaf. The front arch way on the western side of the hall erected a stone sculpture depicted the four keepers of the world (Jatulokapala) in Chinese style, while the front arch way on the eastern side of the hall erected a stone sculpture depicted four military generals from Chinese legend. 

Inside the hall seated the marble Buddha image ordered by Chao Phraya Vichienkhiri (Boonsang Na Songkhla) to be carved from China. The face is round with narrow-eyed, reflecting Chinese craftmanship. The garland of rays made by gold. Image is inside the movable throne, like the one of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok but smaller. The ordination hall has painted an open royal ceiling showed wooden tie beam painted. Both of the inside gables are Rahu devouring the moon. The mural paintings painted by royal artisans finished in 2406 B.E. The upper part depicted Lord Buddha life. The top of the wall showing the row of deities (Thep-chum-num). The wall between the southern window and eastern door depicted the history of Lord Buddha as well as the Ten incarnations of the Lord Buddha, whereas the wall between the northern window and western door depicted the complete 13 chapters of story of Gautama Buddha as Vessantara. The highlight of these paintings is the illustration of traditions, cultures, And daily life of both Thai and foreigners who lived in Thailand in the past.

Outside the ordination hall, there are craving stones representing the old folktales of China, carved by Chinese craftsmen as well. Around the ordination hall, there are twin stone boundary sit on a high base carved in 3 layers lotus shape were placed In all eight directions surrounded the ordination hall. The hall is surrounded by a brick-and-mortar parapet decorated with terracotta in an orange flower pattern. There are entrances on the north and the south. On the parapet near door, pillars are adorned with 2 stone Peking dogs facing each other at the top. These parapets also have 8 poles inscribed with Chinese characters, praising the contribution of Phraya Vichienkhiri (Boonsang Na Songkhla), the stability of Songkhla, and the Royal Visit of King Rama IV at Wat Matchimawat Varavihara.

Beautiful Ubosot of Wat Matchimawat of Songkhla city.

Photo taken with statue of Reclining Buddha inside the temple area.

The statue of Phra Phipek, is the Yak Deva in charge of astrology, divination and the fortunes of men. Phra Phipek was originally a god in heaven named "Phra Vessuyan". He was born at the command of Lord Shiva to be the main force in the help of Rama's fight against Ravana, who had the honor of being his older brother. Phra Phipek had warned Ravana return Sita to Rama where Phra Phipek knew that it was the incarnation of Narayana, but Ravana did not believe it and drove Phra Phipek out of SriLanka. Therefore, Phra Phipek came to pledge allegiance to Rama's army. Phra Phipek is an expert in astrology. Every time before the battle, he will help to look at the auspicious date and times to help the Rama's armies to win the battle. He was knowledgeable in many different subjects and was able to help Rama defeat Ravana. In the end, he received the establishment from Rama as king of SriLanka. He was named Thao Thotsakiriwong. He is also comparable to an oracle one who knows the destiny of all human beings.

The building of Matchimawat National Museum (Phutthasilp Museum) ~ Phra Priyatitham (BE2496).
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See more other Thai amulets at:

👉 http://www.thaiamulets-dhammapath.blogspot.com/?m=0