Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Phitsanulok

Thailand Tour 2013

Phitsanulok | Thailand

06 Nov 2013 | Wed

Day 21 of 43

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Phitsanulok

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Phitsanulok

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Phitsanulok is one of the most beautiful and sacred sites in Thailand. The temple is home to a large, golden Buddha image that is said to have been created in the 13th century. The image is highly revered by Thai Buddhists and has become a popular tourist destination.

Wat-Yai-Phitsanulok-11 — Buddha Image at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Phitsanulok

The temple complex is also home to many other smaller Buddhas, as well as a museum and library. Visitors to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Phitsanulok can learn about the history and culture of Thailand, and see some of the most beautiful Buddhist artwork in the world.

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat (Thai: วัดพระศรีรัตนมหาธาตุ; “Temple of the Great Jewelled Reliquary”), colloquially referred to as Wat-Phra-Sri (Thai: วัดพระศรี) or Wat Yai (Thai: วัดใหญ่; “Big Temple”), is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, where it is located on east bank of Nan River, near Naresuan Bridge and opposite Phitsanulok Provincial Hall. It is about 337 km (209 mi) from Bangkok.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, known among the locals as “Wat Yai”, was founded in 1357 by King Lithai 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 King Ekathotsarot of Ayutthaya, its Buddha image was gilded and the temple was later developed by King Chulalongkorn and King 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). 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.

– Wikipedia Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat