Wat Chayamangkalaram | |
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Front view of the temple | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Buddhism |
District | Northeast Penang Island District |
Location | |
Location | Pulau Tikus |
State | Penang |
Country | Malaysia |
Geographic coordinates | 5°25′54.479″N 100°18′48.276″E / 5.43179972°N 100.31341000°ECoordinates: 5°25′54.479″N 100°18′48.276″E / 5.43179972°N 100.31341000°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Thai temple |
Founder | Phra Phorthan Kuad[1][2] |
Date established | 1845[1][2][3] |
Wat Chayamangkalaram (Thai: วัดไชยมังคลาราม; RTGS: Wat Chaiyamangkhalaram) (also called as the Chayamangkalaram Buddhist Temple) is a Thai temple in Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Situated in Kelawei Road, the temple located close to the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple.[4] It is the oldest Malaysian Siamese temple in the state. The temple became a focal point for the annual Siamese Songkran and Loi Krathong festivals within the city suburb and for the city yearly Buddha Day procession.[5][6]
The site for the temple was cleared in 1795 after a piece of land was granted to both Burmese and Siamese community in George Town by Queen Victoria during the Straits Settlements era.[1][3][7][8] In 1830, there were around 648 Burmese and Siamese people in Penang, which then had a population of 40,000.[1] Part of the land awarded to the Siamese was given as a diplomatic gesture to promote trading ties between the British Empire and the Siamese Rattanakosin Kingdom,[2] which was presented by the then-Governor of the Straits Settlements, William John Butterworth to two Siamese female trustees named Nankayo and Boonsoon as the community representatives.[1] Inscriptions also showed that the building of the temple had been largely due to the philanthropic efforts of local Chinese Buddhists.[1]
In 1845, the temple was founded in the given land by Phra Phorthan Kuad,[1] a powerful monk which according to the local legend was also very fond of asam laksa.[2] Subsequently, making the dish become a normal offering by devotees when visiting his shrine in the temple.[9] In 1948, the temple was officially named "Wat Chayamangkalaram".[1] Since its establishment, the temple has undergone several renovations, with the addition of other structures.[8] A reclining Buddha statue named Phra Chaiya Mongkol was constructed in the temple in 1958 with a total cost of M$100,000 (Malayan dollars).[10] In 1962, the temple was visited by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit as part of their state visit to Malaya.[1]
The temple features one of the world's longest reclining Buddha statues as well as several coloured statues of Yakshas and other mythical creatures.[3] Measuring from 32 m (105 ft)[4] to 33 m (108 ft)[8] from end to end, the statue also serves as a columbarium,[3] in which the urns of the cremated are housed.[2][9] Several smaller statues of the Buddha in various poses and of the Devas can be seen throughout the temple, particularly adorning the main prayer hall.