Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Thai: วัดพระศรีรัตนมหาธาตุ; "Temple of Great Jewelled Reliquary"), also colloquially referred to as Wat Yai (Thai: วัดใหญ่; "Big Temple"), is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, where it is located on the bank of the Nan River near Naresuan Bridge.

History

Phitsanulok History

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Prehistoric Era

Early Nan River Civilizations · Tai

Khmer Empire

Song Khwae

Singhanavati City-State

Chaiyasiri · Nakhon Thai

Sukhothai Period

Wat Chula Manee · Wat Aranyik
Wat Chedi Yod Thong
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Ayutthaya Period

Borommatrailokkanat
Wat Ratchaburana · Wat Nang Phaya
Borommaracha III · Naresuan
Borommakot

Modern Siam / Thailand

19th Century · 20th Century · Recent Events

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, known among the locals as "Wat Yai", was founded in 1357 by King Lithai[1] of Sukhothai. The temple was built at the same time as Wat Phra Phuttha Chinna Si and “Wat Phra Si Satsadaram. During the reign of Ekathotsarot of Ayutthaya, its buddha image was gilded and the temple was later developed by Chulalongkorn and Bhumibol Adulyadej of Rattanakosin. The temple is located at the foot of Naresuan Bridge on the bank of the Nan River. It has an area of 36 rai (1 rai = 1600 m^2).[2] The temple is very famous because of its golden buddha image called Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, which is considered by some Thais to be the most beautiful buddha image in the country.[2]

Phra Phuttha Chinnarat

The temple is famous for its gold sculpture of the Buddha, known as Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (Thai: พระพุทธชินราช; "King of Victory"). Some people consider it to be the most beautiful buddha in Thailand.

Architecture

The temple's large wihan has an immense main entrance with mother-of-pearl inserts donated by King Boromakot in 1756. Beyond the wihan is a Khmer style prang, the inside of which can be accessed via a stairway. The prang is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha.

Museum

The Phuttha Chinnarat National Museum, located on the temple grounds, houses a sizeable collection of Sukhothai period art.

Events

Festivals often take place on the temple grounds, including the annual Phra Phuttha Chinnarat Fair. Also, on the first weekend of each October, the Phitsanulok Dragon Boat Races take place outside the temple in the river.

References

  1. ↑ "RENOWN TRAVEL Thailand, Laos, Myanmar & Cambodia". Retrieved Oct 28, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Krong Kran Bun Pa Cha Ma Nean Pas Rur Du Ron". Retrieved Oct 28, 2013.

Coordinates: 16°49′25″N 100°15′45″E / 16.82361°N 100.26250°E / 16.82361; 100.26250

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