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Having gained recognitiong as one of the greatest pagodas of Chiang Mai, Maha Chedi Luang is a castle-like structure
combined with bell-shaped pagoda features. It reflects the transitional period of such structures, featuring early Lanna style architecture of the 14th century.
Maha Chedi Luang was built during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401 A.D.), the king of Nopburi Sri Nakhon Phing Chiang Mai, as a dedication to his
father, King Kuna. It was later enlarged into the heavens- reaching edifice you can see today. Standing in its position of prominence, the pagoda can be seen by those
who are a fair distance away. Unfortunately, King Saen Muang Ma passed away before the construction of the pagoda was completed. His wife, Queen Tilokachutha
Ratchathewi, ordered the construction work continued, and it was finally completed during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen. The total construction period was five years.
The Chedi Luang
Maha Chedi Luang, was built Queen Tilokachutha Ratchathewi, features stucco Buddha images at all four gates. It was also decorated with the sculpture of a five-
headed Naga, and four figures of the Singha, placed at its corners. During the of King Tilokarat (1442-1487 A.D.), Maha Chedi Luang underwent major
renovation. It was later gilded with gold in the reign of King Yot of Chiang Rai. King Muang Kaeo brought the Emerald Buddha image to be enshrined within this pagoda,
and had an ornate viharn constructed, as well as commissioning the guilding of the pagoda body. The chedi was destroyed in an earthquake which took place in 1545
during the reign of Queen Maha Thewi Chiraprapa. Further destruction as a result of earthquakes took place several more tomes. It was unsure amongst architects and
builders whether the destruction was due to the unwieldy structure of the pagoda, or because of the tunnels inside.
The four directions Buddha image wiharn
The ramparts left behind are certainly important to tracing the history of Maha Chedi Luang and its connection with Chiang Mai City. The pagoda ws intentionally
modelled after Mount Meru in the heart of Chiang Mai, and was expected to be well cared for by subsequent kings. It is located in the center of ancient Chiang Mai
City, and is in the form of a rectangle, which has now become the home of Wat Chedi Luang Woramahaviharn.
From the north of Maha Chedi Luang
Wat Jedee Luang on Prapokklao Road is the side of a formerly massive pagoda that was unfortunately destroyed in the great earthquake of 1545. The temple was originally constructed in 1401 by the orders of King Saeng Muang Ma. In 1454, reigning King Tilo-Garaj enlarged the jedee to a height of 86 meters.
After the earthquake, the jedee lay in ruin until 1991, when it was reconstructed at a cost of several million Baht. The reconstructed jedee was finished in 1992, and it is every as impressive as it was when it was first built.
Buddha image in the middle of Maha Chedi Luang
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