Wat Phra Phutthabat
This temple is located in Tambon Khun Khlon, 28 kilometres north of
the town, turn left 1 km. before arriving in Phra Phutthabat district.
The important historical site here is “Lord Buddha’s Footprint "
that was found on a stone panel near Suwan Banpot Hill or Satchaphanthakhiri
Hill. Lord Buddha’s Footprint measures 21 inches wide, 5 feet long,
and 11 inches deep. The footprint was discovered during the reign
of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. The footprint had 108 religious aspects,
so he commanded a temporary Mondop be built to cover the footprint
and it has been refurbished several times.
The Mondop is a square building, has a seven-tier castle roof and
each is roofed with green glazed tiles. Each level is decorated with
an arch supported by wood, gold and colored glasses. The external
walls are also decorated with gold and coloured glasses in the shapes
of mythological gods and lotus top. The pearl inlaid artwork on the
Mondop doors represents one of the best craftsmanship in the country.
The Mondop entrance has three Naga (mythical serpents) stairs, each
conveying the meaning of silver, gold, and glass stairs that stretch
from the heavens. A five-headed Naga cast in bronze flanks the stairs.
The Mondop is surrounded by bells, which visitors can rap to make
merit. The surrounding ubosot and vihara were built according to the
architecture of the Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin periods.
In the temple compound there is the Phra Phutthabat National
Museum which displays various precious artifacts including
King Songtham’s attire, ceramics, bronzeware, old weapons, a replica
of Lord Buddha’s footprint, an old Mondop top, “Phat Yot” (ecclesiastical
fans) from various periods, and the pipe dating from the King Narai
period. The Phra Phutthabat Festival is held twice a year, during
the eighth day of the waxing moon until the first day of the waning
moon in the third month and the fourth month of the lunar calendar.
Bo Phran Lang Nuea is a small stone well near the
temple. At the mouth of the well are knee prints. There are stone
slopes and a deep hole the size of a milk can near the well. The water
that flows from the hole is believed to be holy water. According to
legend, Bun, a hunter who found Lord Buddha’s Footprint, washed game
meat at this well by kneeling down and the small hole was made from
his spear which was stuck into the ground. There is a continuous flow
of water from the well. |
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