Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan (commonly referred to as Wat Yai) is a Buddhist temple (Wat) in Phitsanulok, Thailand, where it is located on the bank of the Nan River near the Naresuan Bridge.

The temple was built in 1357(B.E 1900) this temple is called by general people as”Wat Yai” or WAT LUANG POR PHRA BUDDHA CHINNARAJ”Phabat SOmdej Phra Mongkutklao”(King Rama VI) classicfied as “Vora Maha Viharn” or the first grade of Royal temple in the year of 1915. At the present time, Wat Yai named is Wat phra sri rattan mahathat. Wat Yai situate on the east bank of Nan River near the Naresuan Bridge. Wat Yai is a big and important more than other temple in Phisanulok and believe that was built in the Sukhothai period being renovated form time to time. Wat Yai is an important temple, not only to people of Phisanulok, but also to Buddhist throughout Thailand. Every king of the Chakri dynasty including the present king, Bhumiphol Adulyadej has come to this temple to worship in front of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat image. The temple is also an important tourist attraction and at times can be extremely busy with many visitors both Thai and foreigner. Wat Yai has Phra Buddha Chinnarat, it is golden statue. It depicts Buddha in the posture of overcoming Mara, also called Mara submission; image is 375cms high x 275cms wide. A copy of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat can be found in Wat Benjamabophit in Bangkok. And then, Phra Buddha Chinnarat is depicted on the official seal of the Phitsanulok Province. Pra Buddha Chinnaraj wasn’t colored and gilded with 100% gold leaf like what it is in the present time. There was a record of the first gold gilding during King Ekatosarod when he came to pay respect to Pra Buddha Chinnaraj. In addition, according to the record in Krung Sri Ayuthaya history text written by the royal secretary, Somdej Krom Pra Poramanuchidchinoros, he stated that “ In 1603 (B.E. 2146), King Ekatosarod paid his royal visit to pay respect to Pra Buddha Chinnaraj. He commanded that gold, royal commodity be made in gold and color to cover Pra Buddha Chinnaraj by himself. When it was complete, a celebration had been held in respect to the Buddha statue for 7 days and 7 nights. It was a gigantic celebration…”

Wat phra sri rattan mahathat is the most temple of Phissanlok and also beautiful. Each year’s have many foreigners and Thai tourists come to worship Pha Buddha Chinarat because it is attractions popular that have people come to merit and grad the Ancient art such as the temple's large vihara has an immense main entrance with mother-of-pearl, these art is art from royal engineering Ayuttaya period. And then the vihara is a Khmer style prang, the inside of which can be accessed via a stairway. Phra Buddha Chinnarat is Sukhothai period art. Behind the temple have Phra Attarot, Standing Buddha Image (Prang Ham Yat) buit in 1257 or 753 years a go. Phra Attarot is the Sukhothai architecture. Al so, There are many antiques and valuable of unestimated value in the temple. Worship festival of Pha Buddha Chinarat annual ceremony is held from the 6th 12th days of the, it call Wat Yai festival 3rd lunar month, Festivals often take place on the temple grounds, including the annual Phra Buddha Chinnarat Fair. Also, on the first weekend of each October, the Phitsanulok Dragon Boat Races take place outside the temple in the river. Of cause during this time it is religious attractions and has many people both Thai and foreigner come to merit and worship Phra Buddha Chinarat.

The provincial slogan is Phitsanulok, a town of the excellent Phra Buddha Chinnaraj, the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great, raft community, delicious dried bananas as well as fantastic caves and waterfalls.