Khuang Singh Monument
History
The monument was built during the reign of King Kawila in 1801, located about 2 kilometers north of Chiang Mai city. The two lion statues face east and north, respectively. Before going into battle, troops would stop at this site to perform a ceremony to bring good fortune. Later, the intersection became known as Khwang Sing Chai Mongkon (Auspicious Lion Intersection).
King Inthawichayanon, the 7th ruler of Chiang Mai (r. 1870–1897), later ordered the construction of a nearby temple, now known as Wat Khwang Singh. On March 8, 1935, the Fine Arts Department designated the monument as a national historical site. In 1996, to mark the 700th anniversary of Chiang Mai, government and private organizations collaborated to restore and enhance the Khwang Singh Monument and its surroundings. The restoration included excavating a moat and constructing a wide, brick-paved platform with stairs leading up from the east. The lion statues, each standing about 2 meters tall and painted white, are enclosed within the site.
Today, it remains a sacred site where newly appointed governors of Chiang Mai pay their respects to seek blessings. Since its completion, a ceremony has been held annually to invite guardian deities and sacred spirits to reside at this location. Over 300 mediums participated in the ceremony, offering sacrifices and performing traditional dances to honor these guardian spirits.
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Local information about the monument
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Overview of the monument from the east
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Lion statue facing east
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Lion statue facing north
References
- ^ Arts, SEAMEO Project in Archaeology and Fine (1986). Historical and Archaeological Sites and Monuments of Southeast Asia: A Compilation. Southeast Asian Ministers of Education.
- ^ "City Sights (Historic Monuments)". chiangmai.com.
- ^ Phamō̜nbut, ʻĀphā (1989). "The Story of Chiengmai: Historic City ..." Dūang Kamon Samai.
- ^ "ร่างทรงกว่า 300 คนร่วมพิธีบวงสรวงอนุสาวรีย์สิงห์คู่ปกปักรักษาเมืองเชียงใหม่". mgronline.com (in Thai). 13 June 2015.
- ^ "อนุสาวรีย์ "บรรพชนนิรนาม" "ข่วงสิงห์ (คู่) สถานรำลึก "วีรกรรม ปกป้องเมืองเชียงใหม่"". Chiang Mai News (in Thai). 2 April 2019.