Inside Wat Thung Yu, prepare to be amazed by the X-rated murals. Yes, you heard that right. Wat Thung Yu or Wat Tung Yu is more than 500 years old. Its name comes from the ceremonial umbrella. This umbrella shows a prince’s rank.
Wat Thung Yu’s plaque mentions “Nirat Hariphunchai.” This poem was written around 1517. Royal princes took care of the temple. In 1909, Prince Intawarot Suriyawang made the tiered umbrella. It sits at the top of the chedi. The chedi is a bell-shaped structure. It often houses relics.
The murals inside the viharn are unique. They show hell with torture. Naked men and women suffer. These scenes are rare in Chiang Mai’s old town temples. But such murals are common in Thailand.
The viharn impresses with its size. It stands on a high base. Three-tiered roofs adorn it. Eagle chofa finials decorate the roofs. Gilt naga heads stick out from the corners. Their bodies glitter. They snake along the roof edges. These form the bargeboards.
Two nagas guard the entrance. They extend along the balustrade. They have green scales and gilt heads. Columns support the porch. Half stone and half teak make up these columns. The gable end looks natural. Gilt has faded over time. Colored glass pieces form patterns. They have also lost their shine.
Above the door are murals. Devata figures stand in the clouds on each side. Above the arch, the Buddha sits. He is under the bodhi tree. He gives a sermon to a large crowd. Hundreds of faces appear. The arch itself consists of nagas. Each side has three heads. A Dhamma wheel sits under the arch.
Inside, the space feels light and airy. Four large windows line each side. Tiled floors and murals cover the walls. The murals depict scenes from the Jataka. Five pairs of teak columns support the roof. Red lacquer and gilt floral motifs decorate them. Lotus capitals top the columns. Carved Deva figures adorn the window shutters. They are covered in gilt.
The main altar stands out. It holds nine crystal Buddhas. They come in various colors. They resemble the Emerald Buddha. Yellow, red, pink, blue, and green images sit in front. This creates a striking contrast.
The principal image smiles. Five smaller images accompany it. Behind the main image is a throne of nagas. This highlights the image’s appearance. A mural of the bodhi tree is on the wall. Murals of revered monks also appear.
Finally, turn around. Above the main door, the murals depict hell. These scenes show horror. Unfortunate naked individuals are tortured. They have been banished there.
The chedi shows Northern style. It has a high square base. The corners indent. This rises to a mid-section. This section also appears square. It supports the small Lanna half-bell structure.
The rounded top is covered in glass or porcelain pieces. The colors have faded. Above this is the lotus flower stem. Two flowers make up the pinnacle. One inverts and one stands upright. The top has a small gilt finial. It also has a hti or umbrella.
Chinthe lions guard the chedi. They stand at each corner. A large niche exists in the base. This holds a Buddha image. A gold cloth drapes around part of the base. Shrubs and small plants grow out from the structure.
The ubosot is smaller than the viharn. But it is more decorated. Two tiers form the roof. Naga bargeboards in gilt line the edges. Eagle chofa finials sit at each apex. The base and walls use attractive stone. The stone looks like marble. It has been left unwhitewashed. This shows off the stone.
A pair of makarra guard the entrance. They sit along the balustrade. They disgorge nagas. Four columns support the porch. The gable end is lavishly decorated. It includes gilt and foliate work. These sit on a mosaic of colored tiles. A gilt chofa is over the lintel. It sits on a pedestal. Gilt floral motifs cover the underside of the eaves.
Rich gilt moldings decorate the main door. Floral motifs adorn them. The archway above the door features three nagas on each side. A Dhamma wheel sits inside. The doors are lavishly decorated. Carvings in gilt depict two Deva figures. They stand on small elephants.
Wat Thung Yu offers a unique experience. Its art and history set it apart. Take your time. Explore its beauty. Remember the temple’s unique features. Its X-rated murals provide a memorable contrast. Enjoy your visit to Wat Thung Yu.