Serpents with bird beaks flank the entrance steps. Welcome to Wat Buak Khrok Noi. This temple holds secrets etched in murals and carved in wood.
Wat Buak Khrok Noi showcases Northern Thai architecture. Its Viharn, built in 1837, exemplifies this. Note the stepped roof. It is a classic Lanna Style feature. Decorations on the gables show Central Thai influence. Look for the bird Chofa and the goose Hong.
Princess Chamarirachathewi, consort to Chiang Mai’s last monarch, contributed to this temple. She built the pulpit inside the hall. Her presence enriches the temple’s history.
The murals are the most celebrated art here at Wat Buak Khrok Noi. They belong to the Shan school. Burmese Konbaung art also influenced them. These murals date back to the early 19th century. The bird’s-eye view technique is distinctly Burmese. So is the use of wavy lines to divide scenes.
These murals at Wat Buak Khrok Noi narrate the Life of the Buddha. Scenes include the Great Departure and the Awakening. They also depict his ten previous lives. Look for Temiya, Sama, Nemiraja, Mahosadha, and Vidhura. The murals also portray the life of the local Lanna people.
Sadly, time has taken its toll on these murals. They are badly decayed. Some parts are missing due to termite damage and a previous renovation. The Academy of Fine Arts in Bangkok has recently restored the murals.
The Ubosot is a newer structure. The original one stood about one kilometer to the north-east. The present Ubosot received its Wisunkamsima status in 1954.
Wat Buak Khrok Noi blends architectural styles. It tells stories through art. It connects us to Lanna history. Take a moment to appreciate the details. Let’s carry the stories of Wat Buak Khrok Noi with us.