Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan

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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.

1 History
2 Phra Buddha Chinnarat
3 Architecture
4 Museum
5 Events
6 External links

[edit] History

Prehistoric Era
Phitsanulok History This box contains links to selected articles with information related to the history of Phitsanulok Province.
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

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

[edit] 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 Chinnarat to be the most beautiful Buddha portrait in Thailand. It depicts Buddha in the posture of submission. Several faithful copies of the Chinnarat are displayed in other temples, including Wat Benchamabophit in Bangkok and Wat Saranat Thammaram in Rayong. Also, the Chinnarat is depicted on the official seal of the Phitsanulok Province.

[edit] Architecture

The temple'slarge 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.

[edit] Museum

The Buddha Chinnarat National Museum, located on the temple grounds, houses a sizeable collection of Sukhothai period art.

[edit] 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.