Wat Thung Sri Muang

Built by Venerable Chao Khun Phra Ariyawongsachan around 1829, in the reign of King Rama III, Wat Thung Sri Muang is an old temple situated in the heart of Ubon Ratchathani Province. Venerable Chao Khun Phra Ariyawongsachan originally resided at Wat Srageath in Bangkok. He traveled to Ubon Ratchathani Province and stayed at Wat Pa Kaeo Mani Wan (presently Wat Mani Wanaram). Every morning and evening, Venerable Chao Khun Phra Ariyawongsachan left the temple to meditate at the Dong U Phung Forest, the present location of Wat Thung Sri Muang. Realizing that this peaceful area was suitable for serving as a religious center, he brought a replica of the Holy Footprint from Wat Srageath to which the Ubon Ratchathani residents could pay homage, and a hall was constructed to house the replica. The hall was transformed into the Ubosot (main chapel) in 1829 by Ykhuchang, a monk from Vientiane who was expert in construction work. The art form of the Ubosot is, therefore, a mixture of the early Rattanakosin and Lan Chang styles. The lower structure of the Ubosot is in the northeastern style and the roof is of the Rattanakosin art form. Inside the Ubosot are the old presiding Buddha image in the posture of Subduring Mara (measuring 2.39 meters at the lap), the replica of the Holy Footprint, and fine murals on the four walls. These murals depict the Lord Buddha's former life, as well as the livelihood and costumes of northeastern residents in those days. One of the well-known religious structures at Wat Thung Sri Muang is Ho Phra Traipidok (Tripitaka), the hall for storing the Holy Scriptures. At Wat Thung Sri Muang, Ho Phra Traipidok is generally referred to as Ho Trai Klang Nam because it is located in the middle of a pond. It is a mixture of three types of craft, namely Thai, Burmese and Lao. The building is of the central Thailand architectural style while the roof is a mixture of Thai and Burmese art forms. This structure is made of hard wood, and its gables are engraved with intricate designs on both sides. This is in the Lao classical art style, and is regarded as the most beautiful of its kind in northeastern Thailand. The hall is the place where Tripitaka, the Holy Scriptures, are kept so they can be saved from destruction caused by insects. Such a hall is usually built in the middle of a pond or other safe area. Ho Phra Traipidok, or Ho Trai for short, was built after the Ho Phra Buddha Bat or Ho Phra Bat for short, The pond was dug to bring soil to heighten the base of Ho Phra Buddha Bat. When the construction of Ho Trai was completed, the pond was named Sa Ho Trai. Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Administration and Wat Thung Sri Muang plan to grow lotus of diverse colors in the pond to decorate the Ho Trai in honor of this place of Holy Scriptures. The pond will then be called "Sa Bok Khorani Sri Muang" as originally planned. Ho Trai is often built in large temples, which serve as Buddhist centers in each area. Apart from Wat Thung Sri Muang, such a hall is also found at Wat Si Pho Chai in Trakan Phutphon District. The Ho Trai in this district was built in the middle of a waterway at Nong Khu Lu. Another Ho Trai had been found at Wat Ho Trai in Khuang Nai District but it was later demolished. The Ho Trai in the middle of the pond at Wat Mahathat in Yasothon Province resembles that of Wat Thung Sri Muang. It is believed that the same craftsman constructed both of them. Ho Phra Bat has fine Chofa (horn-like finial on the roof ridge), Bai Raka (a horn-like ridge on the sloping edges of a gable), Kan Thuai (eaves brackets) and (Hang Hong (small finials jutting out of the two corners of the gable) similar to those of a temple. It is in the Vientiane architectural style.