Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan (Thai: วัดพระศรีรัตนมหาธาตุ, also commonly referred to as Wat Yai) is a Buddhist temple (Wat) in Phitsanulok, Thailand, where it is located on the bank of the Nan River near the Naresuan Bridge.

History

Phitsanulok History This box contains links to selected articles with information related to the history of Phitsanulok Province. Prehistoric Era Early Nan River Civilizations · Tai Khmer Empire Song Khwae Singhanavati City-State Boromma Chayasiri · Nakhon Thai Sukhothai Period Wat Chula Manee · Wat Aranyik Wat Chedi Yod Thong Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Ayutthaya Period Boromma Trailokanat Wat Ratchaburana · Wat Nang Phaya Boromma Racha III · Naresuan Boromma Kot Modern Siam / Thailand 19th Century · 20th Century · Recent Events

The cloister of the temple was established in 1357 during the reign of King Maha Thammaradscha I of Sukhothai.

Phra Buddha Chinnarat

See also: Buddha images in Thailand

Wat Yai is famous throughout Thailand for its golden sculpture of the Buddha called the Phra Buddha Chinnarat (Thai: พระพุทธชินราช). Many Thai people consider the Phra Buddha Chinnarat to be the most beautiful Buddha portrait in Thailand. It depicts Buddha in the posture of overcoming Mara (Thai: ปางมารวิชัย), also called Mara submission. A stone inscription indicated that he was molded over 700 years ago by a King Mahathamaracha Lithai of Sukhothai dynasty. Several faithful copies of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat are displayed in other temples, including Wat Benchamabophit in Bangkok and Wat Saranat Thammaram in Rayong. Also, the Phra Buddha Chinnarat is depicted on the official seal of the Phitsanulok Province.

Architecture

The temple's large vihara has an immense main entrance with mother-of-pearl inserts donated by King Boromakot in 1756. Beyond the vihara 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 Buddha 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 Buddha Chinnarat Fair. Also, on the first weekend of each October, the Phitsanulok Dragon Boat Races take place outside the temple in the river.

External links

• http://www.chumsang.net/Phitsanulok.php
• Phra Buddha Chinnarat Panorama