Amphoe Muang
Phra
Pathom Chedi
Phra Pathom Chedi, the largest pagoda in Thailand. Phra
Pathom Chedi is the official provincial symbol of Nakhon Pathom.
The present Phra Pathom Chedi was built during the reign of King
Rama IV in 1853, under his royal command, the new Chedi was constructed
to cover the former Chedi of which the shape was of an upside
down bell shape with a Prang top. It is assumed that the former
Chedi dates back to the year 539 AD due to the fact that the upside
down bell shaped Chedi has a similar style to the Sanchi Chedi
in India which was built in the reign of King Asoka. The construction
of the new huge Chedi was completed in the reign of King Rama
V in 1870 AD. In all, it took 17 years to build.
The completed Chedi is a circular one that features an upside
down bell shape Chedi (Lankan style). The height from ground to
a top crown is some 120.45 metres, and a total diameter at the
base is 233.50 metres. The sacred Chedi houses Lord Buddha’s
relics. During the reign of King Rama VI, Wat Phra Pathom was
renovated and later the temple became the royal temple of King
Rama VI. Within the monastery compound, there are various interesting
historical items, including the Phra Ruang Rodjanarith ,an image
of Buddha bestowing pardon, is enshrined in a vihara located to
the North and in front of Phra Pathom Chedi. The casting of this
Buddha image was casted during the reign of King Rama VI: the
image’s head, hand, and feet were brought from Muang Srisatchanalai,
Sukhothai.
Under royal command, a wax sculpture of the Buddha image was
moulded. The casting process was held at Wat Phra Chettuphon in
1913. Later, the Buddha image was enshrined in the vihara, located
on the north side at the top of a huge staircase. The King granted
the name of “Phra Rung Rodjanarith Sri-intharathit Thammamopas
Mahavachiravuth Rachpuchaniyabopitr” to this Buddha image.
At its base, the relics of King Rama VI are housed. Additionally,
there are:
Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Museum The museum is located at a lower
level in the east of the church. It houses artefacts and historical
remains which were discovered during the excavations in Nakhon
Pathom including the coffin and funeral ritual set that were used
in Ya-Lei’s cremation ceremony. Ya-Lei was a dog very dear
to King Rama VI, that was shot and died. The King was much saddened
and commanded to building of a monument for Ya-Lei as a token
of his grief. The museum is open daily from 09.00-16.30 except
Monday and Tuesday.
Then there is the National Museum of Phra Pathom Chedi This is
also worth a visit. The National Museum of Phra Pathom Chedi is
located to the south of the Pathom Chedi compound. It is a 2 storey
modern Thai building that houses artefacts and historical remains,
most of which dates back to Dvaravati period and were found during
excavations in Nakhon Pathom. For more information, contact Khun
Sunthorn, Pali Union Education Foundation tel: 257-745 or Khun
Panom Taeng On, Phra Pathom Chedi Treasury and Preservation Office
tel: 242-143. The museum is open daily from 09.00-16.00 except
Monday, Tuesday and National Gazette holidays.
Phra Prathon Chedi
Another historical site located in Wat Phra Prathon Chedi
temple, Tambon Phra Prathon. It is located 2 Kms. to the east
of Phra Pathom Chedi down Petchakasem Road. The former shape of
Phra Prathon Chedi was an upside down bell like other Chedi that
was built in Dvaravati period. As Wat Phra Prathon Chedi is located
in the middle of the ancient city of Nakhon Chaisi thus several
artefacts were discovered during excavations. Some of the discovered
items include Buddha images, heads of Buddha images and Buddha
images in terra cotta, as well as a bronze figure of a garuda
gripping naga under it’s claws, which is the official symbol
of King Rama VI.
