Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
by Michelle Meenawong
Title
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
Artist
Michelle Meenawong
Medium
Photograph - Metal Print
Description
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat "Temple of the Great Jewelled Reliquary"), colloquially referred to as Wat-Phra-Si or Wat Yai "Big Temple"), is a Buddhist temple 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 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.
Father of Thai history Prince Damrong Rajanubhab recorded this temple that.
"The temple is a big and more important than other temples in Phitsanulok and is believed to be built in the Sukhothai period being renovated from time to time".
The temple is famous for its gold-covered statue of the Buddha, known as Phra Phuttha Chinnarat ("King of Victory"). It is consider one of the most beautiful and the classical magnificent Buddha figures in Thailand and receive the highest worship among Thai people, equivalent to Luang Pho Sothon of Wat Sothonwararam in Chachoengsao Province
This Buddha statue was cast together with other statues of the same Buddha, including Phra Phuttha Chinna Si and Phra Si Satsada, which are currently enshrined in this temple.
According to the legends, there are still a controversy about the time of casting these statues. Some believed it was in the 10th century. Some said it might be in the 14th century. However, in the northern history (Pong Sawadarn Nuea;) had been registered that.
"In the year B.E. 1500 Phra Si Thamma Tripidok or Phra Maha Thammaracha-Lithai, after the completion of building of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat wanted to cast three Buddha statues as the principal image in the vihara. The king got five Brahmins named Ba Indra, Ba Brahm, Ba Vishnu, Ba Rachasingh and Ba Rachakusol. The king asked for renowned sculptors from Si Satchanalai town or Sawankhalok together with the first class artisans from/Chiang_Saen_District"ang Saen and Hariphunchai to assist in the casting of the three Buddha statues"
The first Buddha statue was a Mara Vichai episode of 5 sok (1 sok = 50 cm) 1 kueb (1 kueb = 25 cm) 5 new (1 new = 2.45 cm) measuring from end of laps in sitting posture. The second Buddha statue was of a Mara Vichai period of 5 sok 1 kueb 4 new measuring from end of laps in sitting posture and the third Buddha statue of Mara Vichai period of 4 sok 1 kueb 6 new measuring from lap to lap in sitting position.
The temple's large vihara 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.
And front of prang is statue of Buddha image in standing position holding his right hand up. This Buddha symbol is called Phra Attharot, a height of 18 sok (9 m). This place is called Vihara Phra Attharot or Phra Vihara Kao Hong "nine halls sanctuary".
A very grateful thank you to the following groups for featuring this picture
NIKON FULL FRAME CAMERAS
04/05/2022
FINE ART AMERICA PROFESSIONALS
04/10/2022
FINE ART EXPLORATION PHOTOGRAPHY
04/10/2022
THAILAND
04/11/2022
JUST PERFECT
04/16/2022
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
04/23/2022
AWESOME ASIA
05/16/2022
Uploaded
April 5th, 2022
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