Thailand

North Thailand / Lamphun / Wat Chammathewi Suwan Changkot Chedi

Photo: Pagoda at Wat Chammathewi, Lamphun

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This monastery, built during Khmer times around 755, has a pagoda with the square Buddhagaya characteristics as seen in India. Three standing Buddha images in blessing posture are enshrined on each side and on each level of the pagoda thus totalling 60 images all together. Relics of Queen Chammathewi, the first female ruler of Hariphunchai, are kept inside the pagoda. The pagoda top was originally covered with gold; this was later removed thus resulting in the pagoda's current name, Ku Kut Pagoda, which means Pagoda without a top.