Saturday, March 22, 2008

Wat Phra Mahathat : Nakhon Si Thamarat Province

[ photo credit : dhammathai.org ]

Wat Phra Mahathat
is the most important temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat. This is originally an old monastery of Nakhon Si Thamarat, situated in the heart of the city. It is believed to be constructed during Sivichaya period in compliance with the idea of Mahayana Buddhism School. An extensive complex is centred on the 77-metre pagoda houses Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka some 1,700 years ago.

The pagoda, 55.78 meters high, has a distinctive Sri Lankan style. The top is entirely covered by pure gold. Inside the temple are many buildings of importance, especially the royal building which has beautiful architecture from the Ayutthaya period and the Sam Chom building where the Buddha image attired in royal wardrobe Phra Si Thamma Sokarat is housed. There are also the Phra Maha Phinetkrom (the equestrian image) building, the Thap Kaset building, while the Khian and Pho Lanka buildings are used to display artifacts donated to the temple by Buddhists.

Besides, there are a lot of other important archaeological places such as Vihara Luang, Vihara Khien, Vihara Khot, Vihara Pho Lanka, museum, etc.


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