WAT PHRA SI RATTANA MAHATHAT
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Located on the Nan River, this temple commonly known as Wat Yai dates from the mid-14th century. It is one of the only buildings to survive the major fire of 1957. The central vihara houses the statue of Buddha Chinnarat in a seated position, one of the most revered and beautiful in the country. Made entirely of polished bronze, it is in the Sukhothai style. Its main feature is the headdress, a halo that takes the form of a sacred snake. The doors of the large image room are covered with pearls made by the king's craftsmen in the 18th century. Candlesticks on the ceiling majestically illuminate the room. Buddha statues line up in the corridors. A large 8-metre statue of standing Buddha, Phra Attharot, is located on the site. It would be from the same period as that of Buddha Chinnarat, and was once in a large room that no longer exists today but of which some ruins can be seen as pillars. The centre of the enclosure is dominated by a prang, a large Khmer style pagoda . Originally this structure was to form a Sukhothai-style lotus flower stupa, then had to be converted into a prang in the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. A ceremony in honour of Buddha Chinnarat takes place every year at the end of January. Across the street, another temple, Wat Ratchaburana, is also worth a visit. It houses a magnificent three-headed Naga and 19th century murals.
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