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PLACES OF INTEREST

 

 

 

  Wat Mahathat Wora Maha Wihaan

 

Thailand

Wat Mahathat Wora Maha Wihaan in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. The plong shanai, i.e. the top part of the spire of its ca. 56 meter high chedi, is plated with pure gold, with a total weight of 197.85 kilogram.

 

It is portrayed on the copper coins of 25 satang (fig.), as well as on the coat of arms of the province (fig.). The temple's main prayer hall, which is located in the base of the stupa, is known as Wihaan Phra Songmah.

 

  Wat Mahathat Wora Maha Wihaan

 

  Wat Mahathat Wora Maha Wihaan

 

It is named after a large bas-relief of Siddhartha riding his horse Kanthaka during the Great Departure. In the front stands Mara, i.e. the personification of evil, holding a sword and trying to stop the Buddha-to-be.

 

The holy relics of the Buddha in the main prayer hall, located in the base of the stupa, are guarded by Tao Ramathep and by Tao Jatukam (fig.).

 

  Wat Mahathat Wora Maha Wihaan

 

These guardians are carved in that order onto the left and right doors at the top of the stairway that leads up to the inner sanctum of the stupa that houses the sacred relics. The grounds of the stupa and its underlying wihaan are surrounded by an outer wall, which on the inside has a gallery of Buddha images, whilst placed opposite of those, in some places, are images of senior monks.

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