Wat Mahawan, explained that it was constructed in 657 A.D (1200 B.E.) by the queen Cham Thewi, the first ruler of Hariphunchai kingdom, is located close to the center of Lamphun town, roughly speaking, in the middle between the royal temple Wat Phra That Haripunchai and the temple where ashes of the queen Chama Thewi are enshrined, Wat Cham Thewi.
View in a larger map This temple is famous for the image of the Buddha seated under the Naga's hood which is believed to be Phra Phutta Sikkhi or Phra Sila Dam (The Black Stone Image) taken from Lawo (present Lopburi in the center of Thailand) by Phranang Chama Thewi, the first ruler of Haripunchai kingdom.
The image is currently known among the villagers as "Phra Rot Luang" or "Phra Rot Lamphun", which became a prototype for a famous repository of votive tablets known as "Phra Rot Mahawan". (Wow ! I didn't know that at all !) It looks like the image is in a chapel and was not seen in the main hall.
The temple prospered throughout many reigns. It was restored again when Prince Sapasit, son of Phraya Rodrad ordinated as a novice at this temple in B.E. 1420 (1077 AD). A big Buddha image in the temple was also cast at the time. An outstanding feature of this temple is a large chedi which was built to cover the old one.