Wat Ban Den

Wat Ban Den
Wat Ban Den
วัดบ้านเด่น
	Wat Ban Den
Religion
Affiliation	Buddhism
District	Mae Taeng district
Province	Chiang Mai Province
Region	Northern Thailand
Leadership	Kruba Thueang Natsilo
Status	Active
Location
Municipality	Chiang Mai
Country	Thailand
Architecture
Style	Lanna style
Date established	circa 16th century
Completed	1988

19°09′27″N 98°58′42″E / 19.157512°N 98.978464°E / 19.157512; 98.978464

Wat Ban Den (วัดบ้านเด่น), also known as Wat Den Sali Si Muang Kan (วัดเด่นสะหลีศรีเมืองแกน), is a Buddhist temple located in Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Known for its stunning architecture, the temple is a blend of traditional Lanna style and intricate modern craftsmanship.^[1] Situated on a small hill overlooking the village, this sacred site was once centered around a cave highly revered by the local community, which inspired the temple's name, "Wat Ban Den", meaning "Prominent House Temple". The temple is formerly known as Wat Hri Bun Ruang (วัดหรีบุญเรือง).^[2]

History

Originally a small temple dating back over 500 years in a rural village, Wat Ban Den underwent a remarkable transformation into a grand spiritual complex in 1894 under the leadership of Kruba Thueang Natsilo (ครูบาเทือง นาถสีโล), a revered abbot from Saraphi district. However, the temple remained in poor condition until 1988, when it was eventually rebuilt with donations from the local community and Buddhists from across Thailand.^[3]

Kruba Thueang Natsilo envisioned creating a sacred space that would draw visitors from across the globe. He spearheaded extensive restoration projects, expanding the temple and adorning it with intricate architectural details. Among the most notable features of Wat Ban Den is its collection of 12 stupas, each symbolizing a different zodiac sign. This distinctive characteristic has made the temple a renowned pilgrimage destination for those seeking spiritual blessings and good fortune.^[3]