Phitsanulok - Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat - Phra Thum Senanuwat

Phra Si Rattana Mathat Temple or locally known as Wat Yai is considered to be the most important temple in Phitsanulok. It was built in 1357 during the reign of Phra Maha Thamma Racha I of Sukhothai Kingdom to enshrine the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat statue.

Phra Buddha Chinnarat is a bronze-casted statue widely considered the most beautiful image of the Buddha in Thailand. The statue’s unique feature is the halo that signifies the spiritual radiance of the Lord Buddha; it then becomes an influence to Buddha images in later years.

The statue was coated in gold by King Ekatotsarot in 1931. Every year in January, there is a festival to celebrate Phra Buddha Chinnarat. Other interesting architecture details include the ordination hall's doors, which were made in 1756 using wood and pearl inlaid crafted by Ayutthaya’s royal craftsmen, and wall paintings depicting the life of the lord Buddha.

There are three more attractions to admire: Phra Attharot standing Buddha statue, enshrined in front of the main pagoda, was casted in the same period as Phra Buddha Chinnarat; the 36-meter-high Phra Prang (pagoda) constructed using the early Ayutthaya style to enshrine the relic of the Lord Buddha; and a small museum exhibiting Buddha images of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya era and other religious artifacts can be found within the vicinity.



Location
It is located on the bank of the Nan River near the Naresuan Bridge

Address:  Phut Bucha Road, Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand

Recommendation ***** (must see!)

Heavy jam...

Rows of stalls selling lottery tickets

Finally! It is really so awesome!

Phra Attharot

I'll get a bucha from here next time...

August 2015

Joined the locals for the evening chanting

Phra Thum Senanuwat
Chief Monk of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
He is currently 78 years old and I am very lucky and blessed
that he allows my audience.  Only very few people gets to see him

LP Pailin
2nd Chief monk of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
He is currently 65 years old.  Really a very special day to be able
to meet both Chief and 2nd Chief on the same day.  I will be coming
back to see LP Pailin again for some other matters

Permission granted to collect holy materials

Now I need to make offerings to my stomach :)

May 2017

August 2017