Wat Phra That Phanom
Encyclopedia
Wat
A wat is a monastery temple in Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos. The word "wat" means "school".- Introduction :...
of the Phra That Phanom chedi
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
, located in the district of the same name
Amphoe That Phanom
That Phanom is a district in the southern part of Nakhon Phanom Province, northeastern Thailand.The district is named after Wat Phra That Phanom, the most important Buddhist temple in the region.-Geography:...
, in the southern part of Nakhon Phanom Province
Nakhon Phanom Province
Nakhon Phanom is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon and Bueng Kan. To the north-east it borders Khammouan of Laos.-Geography:...
, northeastern Thailand
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
. According to legend, this structure contains The Buddha's breast bone, and as such, it is one of the most important Theravada Buddhist
Theravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
structures in the region. It was originally built in the 16th century by the Laotian King Setthathirath
Setthathirath
Setthathirath is considered one of the great leaders in Lao history. Throughout 1560s up until his death, he successfully defended his kingdom of Lan Xang against military campaigns of Burmese conqueror Bayinnaung, who had already subdued Xieng Mai in 1558 and Ayutthaya in 1564...
of Lanxang. Each year, a festival is held in That Phanom to honor the temple. This festival last for one week, during which thousands of people make pilgrimages to honor the shrine.
According to a Fine Arts Department marker on the site, it fell down in 1976, but was rebuilt with funds raised by public subscription, and from the government.