Wat Mahathat

WAT MAHATHAT

Wat Mahathat is situated to the east of the Royal Palace. In the Historical Records of the Royal Secretary, it is mentioned that after the completion of the battle from the north in 1927 B.E. King Ramaesuan had come back to the capital, he happened to see the wonderous Buddha Relics further away from the east while he was pilgrimming at Mongkla Phisek throne Hall. So he suddenly went there to mark the position. After that he established Phra Mahathat with 19 wa (38 meters) height and 3 wa (6 meters) cornice, and named the temple “Wat Mahathat”

As mentioned in the Historical Records of Luang Prasert, it was noted that Wat Mahathat was built during the reign of King Borommarachathiraj I in 1917 B.E. It is a 23 Wa (46 meters) height building. The Prang (the cone-shaped tower) of this temple was built of laterite before it collapsed to the Garuda during the reign of King Songtham. It was not restored until the reign of King Phrasatthong in 2176 B.E. This temple was then be restored and extended the height to 25 wa (50 meters) using bricks, timber, and plaster. However, the cornice collapsed again. Nowadays all that remains porch base.

In 2499 B.E. Fine Arts Department excavated the evocative ruins at War Mahathat, and found a cache containing many antiques, precious stones, and particularly the Relics of Buddha which was well preserved in the silver and bronze Stupas. In the crystal Stupa, a small golden casket was found containing relics, precious stones, golden rings golden Buddha images and other ornaments.