Page 85 - Experience Thailand and More

WHAT TO DO

AND SEE

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
Revered Phra Buddha Chinnarat
Nai Mueang Mueang Phitsanulok Phitsanulok 65000
Temple open: daily 6.00 a.m – 6.00 p.m.
Museum open: Wed. – Sun., 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Just 100 meters north of Highway 12 on the bank of the Nan River near
the Naresuan Bridge stands one of Thailand’s most revered temples,
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, or Wat Yai, Big Temple, as most
locals refer to it. Most Thai Buddhists will try to make one pilgrimage Today, on the temple grounds, there is a busy foundry producing replicas
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to this 14 century monastery to pay their respects to the Buddha in all sizes, with a museum exhibiting examples of this work from over the
image, Phra Buddha Chinnarat. Cast in bronze in Sukhothai style, it centuries along with very valuable artefacts. Visitors are also impressed
took three times for the artisans to be satisfied, and this is probably by the standing Buddha image, Phra Attaros located in front of a 36-meter-
why it is considered one of the most beautiful Buddha images in the tall prang and behind the ruins of an ancient chapel. The viharn built in
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mediation pose of subduing mara. In the early 17 century, when the 18 century reflects how influential the Lanna kingdom of the north
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Auytthaya reigned, gold plating was applied to the image, and it still still remained with its multi-tiered roof decorated by naga serpents at the
shimmers with resplendence for all who bear witness. roof ends of each level.
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