Dhamma Path Blog: Revisited Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan (BE2567) ~ Kruba Ariyachat ~ Chiang Rai

Monday, January 6, 2025

Revisited Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan (BE2567) ~ Kruba Ariyachat ~ Chiang Rai - Thailand (Part 1/2).

Wat Sang Kaew Photiyan is absolutely beautiful with the statues, buildings, mountain view and skywalk. In this part 1/2, we sharing The Fern Garden, 3 Krubas statues and the Maitreya Buddha statue (with Sky Walk) for my visited in Dec BE2567. This year BE2568, temple is celebrating the 18th anniversary of Wat Sang Kaew Photiyan and making merit to celebrate the 44th auspicious birthday of Kruba Ariyachat (Kruba Phrapawanaratanya). In part 2/2 we will sharing photos of Kruba Ariyachat.

Another Wiharn building was under construction (beside the Fern Garden). The first thing I noticed was the Ubosot building significant damage due to a fire in last June at the front side of temple, now was under construction for restoration efforts.

Photo taken with Phra Pikanet statue.

Along the way there is also venerated a huge statue of the Hindu deity Phra Pikanet four arms, huge statue of Phra Phron, Lord Shiva, Phra Narai and Hindu deities.

Shrine of Phra Upakut.

Shrine of Nawakot 9 Faces Buddha.

Mercy Guan Yin of Thousand Hands and Dragons.

The huge Thep guardian at front of stairs walk.

Photos taken in front of the statue of Kruba Srivichai, there are images of his followers Kruba Khao Aphichai Pi (1889-1977) and Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phattana (1913-2000). Both Krubas were followers of Kruba Srivichai and came from temples in Lamphun province, not far from Wat Ban Pang, the temple of Kruba Srivichai. The behind is the Maitreya Buddha statue.

Photo taken with statue Kruba Srivichai.

Photo taken with statue Kruba Khao Aphichai Pi (1889-1977).

Photo taken with statue Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phattana (1913-2000).

The stair of Phayanak Naga image and behind is the gallery of Phra Kruba Ajahn statues. Another side of gallery of famous national persons. This galleries is same level as the 3 Krubas image.

Photot taken with statues of Phra Kruba Ajahn.

Photo taken with statues of famous national persons such as King Mengrai, the Mon Queen Chamathewi, King Taksin, and several of the Kings of the Chakri dynasty.

The sacred and big statue of Phra Maitreya Buddha image with 50 meter height by 20 meter width.

The 3 storey Glass Bridge SkyWalk of Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan was opened on 13 Feb 2023. This is a steel and glass construction built around the new giant image of the Maitreya Buddha. The Sky Walk allows people to pay their respects to the image (inside Phra Maitreya Buddha statue have luminous Phra Buddha images) and enjoy the views over the surrounding countryside. The temple’s abbot Kruba Ariyachat Ariyajitto said the skywalk had been built to encourage people to make merit and study Buddhism. During my visited already passed 5pm operating time (9am till 4pm).