Phra Pathom
Chedi is located in Muang District, Nakhon Pathom Province,
56 kilometers west of Bangkok. The chedi (stupa) rises more
than 120 meters into the air with the radius of the base
of 233.50 meters. The present chedi was built in the reign
of King Mongkut (Rama IV) to cover the old one that is believed
to have been built some 2,000 years ago. The temple that
houses Phra Pathom Chedi is one of the six highest ranking
royal temples.
When he was a
monk, King Rama IV found an old chedi. It was an up-side
down bowl shape with a 'prang' on top, very similar to SANCHI
stupa of India. The restoration of the chedi did not start
until Prince Mongkut became King Rama IV. It took 17 years
to complete, during the reign of King Rama V. King Rama
IV named the stupa "Phra Pathom Chedi" because
this stupa appeared first in this land before any others.
(Pathom means first) It is the largest pagoda in the world.
Pictures
copyright: Nattawud Daoruang
Information from: "Thai Studies
Through Games" Book 2 by Assist. Prof. Wadee Kheourai.
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