Friday, August 7, 2015

Wat Yai Neighborhood By The Nan River

There are 10 neighborhoods with excellent cultural importance in the city of Phitsanulok. Each has its own rich and distinct history. Each expresses its uniqueness in diverse types of culture, such as, faith, art, or architecture. They are basic places, yet captivating in their own methods. These 10 locations never fail to impress visitors and make them return for more.

Phitsanulok has a well-developed transportation system, so visitors to the city can pick from amongst different modes of travel to check out. There are the grey regional buses, the tune thaew– a transformed truck with benches in the back, and naturally, the tuk-tuk, the world-renowned, motorized tricycle. For a greater rate, one can employ a taxi or lease an automobile, either with a motorist or to drive on their own for a more personal journey. In the late afternoon and evening, the traditional cycle rickshaw is likewise offered for checking out the city at a slower speed, however in a more enjoyable way.

Going to Wat Yai is an extremely crucial excursion in Phitsanulok and one thing that you do not desire to miss. Thais believe that seeing essential temples and paying regard and homage their brings best of luck. Wat Yai, officially understood as, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Woramahawiharn includes a really holy Buddha Image named the “Phra Buddha Chinnarat”. The image has actually long been believed to be really holy and is viewed as one of the most stylish and gorgeous Buddha images in the nation. The image was developed with ancient craftsmanship and skills and in the extremely designed temple hall, looks immaculate and elegant under the cool lighting. Visitors to the temple will certainly have the ability to see the entire golden Buddha image instantly, without even going into the Pavilion. Due to the strong faith Thais have in this Buddha image, there will certainly constantly be a fantastic number of faithful worshipers concerning pay regard to the image year round

The Wat Yai structure is Sukhothai duration architecture and includes careful interior decoration. The majority of the columns are painted gold. The pair of front columns are sculpted like a beehive and covered with gold leaf, and the ceiling is painted in vermilion and decorated in a pattern of stars surrounding the moon in the Thai design. The front wall is a mural of the story of the Lord Buddha, the Vessantara Jetaka tale. The side wall shows an event of angels worshipping the Phra Buddha Chinnarat Image. Also, the walls behind the image likewise show angels worshiping the image. The images are all quite stunning and really lovely.

After enjoying the interior beauty, you will notice the art of the ancient doors of the structure. This grand piece of art is crafted with mother of pearl inlay and has actually been commended by art historians as one of the leading pieces in Thailand. This ancient door was donated to the Temple by King Baromakot (1732 to 1758) of the late Ayutthaya duration, to replace the old ones. The 2 doors are identical with mom of pearl inlay decor in types of Himavanta mystic animals. The doors remain in small trapezoid shapes with a main door stopper (Ok Lao) with the sign of the Lord Buddha, the Unalom insignia on a throne brought by Hanuman, the mystical monkey who serves Rama. This insignia is very holy and highly revered by the locals. The lower part of this is carved into a conventional troll bring a baton. The more one looks, the more astonished and amazed one feels. This is among the finest works demonstrating the ability of Ayutthaya duration craftsmanship. This peerless work has become an ideal kind for later generations of craftsmen.

Outside the structure of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat image, this fine temple includes more classical Siamese-Buddhist architecture, consisting of the major stupa at the heart of the temple, which holds Buddha relics. This stupa is certainly newer and was integrateded the old fledgling lotus shape of the Sukhothai duration. This stupa is the source of the name of the temple ‘Mahathat’ which means ‘Great Relics’.

There are more pavilions on the temple premises which house different vital Buddha images. An outstanding one would be the Phra Attharos image. Phra Attharos is a standing Buddha image which was initially developed in the Sukhothai design. Later on, after mitigation, the image revealed an influence from the Bangkok duration, with more information.

There are other 2 Buddha images which were created throughout the very same duration as the Phra Buddha Chinnarat image. These are the Phra Phuttha Chinnasee and Phra Sri Sassada images. Both of them are replicas made to replace the authentic ones which were taken to Bangkok and put in Wat Bowonivet by King Rama III and IV.

Apart from other pavilions and the ordination hall, there are a variety of stupas, in addition to the Intaraperee drum tower, which all have their own special and fascinating stories.

For those who enjoy shopping in local markets, a big part of the Wat Yai parking area is a regional market offering local items and mementos in the Thai design, such as carved wood, wickerwork and basketwork handicrafts, regional woven fabrics, local snacks, in addition to foods from all over Thailand. As far as Thai treats go, Phitsanulok’s pride is sun-dried bananas, or kluay tak. This market is always hectic however its merchants never ever lose their smiles or friendliness. They always welcome visitors to taste exactly what they have for sale, so most visitors wind up with lots of shopping bags.

After all the tasting and shopping, one can backtrack to the side of the temple, along with the Nan river, to eat at one of the Hoy Kha Noodle stores. Here you can take pleasure in an example of the eating culture of Phitsanulok as visitors rest on the floor and hang their legs off of the dining establishment sides while they eat their dishes. (Usually Thais rest on the floor and fold their legs during meals.).

After finishing your meal, there are 3 more old temples to check out close by. Wat Nang Phaya Temple lies simply south of Wat Yai, on Cha Kan Boon roadway. This temple includes the Somdet Nang Phaya Ruen Kaew pavilion which has been recovered to be an ordination hall in Sukhothai duration architecture with mural paintings of the Traiphum, or 3 worlds of heaven, earth, and hell, at the back of the primary Buddha image. This temple is very well known among amulet collectors for the “Phra Nang Phaya” (Queen of Amulet) design, which is ranked amongst the leading 5 of the most costly and unusual collectibles known as “Benja Phakee”. The amulets are deemed to be spiritual and unusual, and for that reason, are highly valued.

Opposite to Wat Nan Phaya Temple is Wat Ratchaburana. This location was part of Wat Nang Phaya until a road was built, separating them. This temple has a stupa and pavilion developed in the Sukhothai duration architectural style. The main ordination hall holds a Buddha image in the Sukhothai style and has a complete mural of the story of Ramakien, an epic of Siamese literature. The pavilion has a mural concerning the Lord Buddha‘s life. All of this was constructed throughout the reign of King Chulalongkorn Rama V.

The last temple in this neighborhood is Wat Mai Aphaitaram of Wat Mai. This is south of the Wat Ratchaburana Temple. The temple‘s ordination hall was developed in late Ayutthaya period architecture but its Sema stone markers are of Sukhothai design. There are 3 stupas in front of the ordination hall.

Strolling along the Nan River through the Wat Yai location will immerse you in the past history of Phitsanulok. You may feel a touch of holiness and best of luck. You can enjoy all of the historical and religious sites and antiques, Buddhist art in different types and designs, and ancient murals giving old beliefs, legends and stories of Siam. In fact, just this one neighborhood will make you feel that Phitsanulok deserves your trip.



from Thainess http://ift.tt/1W7aJ8Y
via IFTTT

No comments:

Post a Comment