Everything In Nakhon Si Thammarat

Wat Mahathat, Temple, Meuang Nakhon



Wat Mahathat, Temple, Meuang Nakhon Wat Mahathat, Temple, Meuang Nakhon Wat Mahathat, Temple, Meuang Nakhon Wat Mahathat, Temple, Meuang Nakhon
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The most famous temple in South Thailand
The chedi at this temple has been around for many hundreds of years in various forms, being built on, renovated and maintained throughout the years. And a very recent renovation has left it shiny white with its solid gold top, and very impressive it looks too.

In the temple grounds there is also a viharn and another hall with buddha images and lifelike monk statues, various shrines here and there, and a market selling jewellery, amulets, other souvenirs and food. The courtyard of the main chedi is lined with seated buddha images, and filled with smaller chedi, often sponspored in the name of someone who has died by their loved ones. Because of the way these are laid out, it is said that it is impossible to see the shadow of the main chedi, even though it towers over the others - somehow it just gets lost.

The main courtyard allows access under the chedi, an area still under renovation which should look very nice once it's completed, and access to a staircase complete with demon statues, naga and motifs of the Buddha's life which leads to a higher walk around the chedi itself. There is also a museum containing items donated by people ranging from money, jewellery, porcelain, lots of buddha images and various objet d'art, with a suggested price of 20 baht being recommended for entry. A few other shrines take up the remaining space in the courtyard, both offering the 'shakey-stick' style of fortune telling, though the results are only available in Thai so a bit of help might be needed here.

Outside the temple grounds are lots of roadside stalls selling food and drink, souvenirs and buddha amulets, and there are plenty of restaurants in walking distance, including the recommended Khanom Jeen Pan Yum about 5 minutes away. All in all, it's one of the 'must see' places in Nakhon Town and it's easy to spend a relaxed hour or three just enjoying what there is to be seen.


All contents © Everything In Nakhon 2008. All reviews are the personal opinion of the site owner, E&OE
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