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Sukhothai Historical Park  -  Wat Chetuphon   
(38) วัดเชตุพน  
 Address:        
 Known as:        
 Description:   Situated on the right of Wat Ton Chan, this temple is famous for four Buddha Images of vast size in four different postures (sitting, reclining, standing and walking). Their sheer size is very impressive and can be seen from afar. Enshrined in a mandapa with porches on four sides; these huge Buddha Images also served for supporting the mandapa roof, a functional feature developed from Burmese architecture in Pagan. Adjacent to the west of this mandapa is located another mandapa of small size with 20 - indented corners. Trace of a Buddha Image in the posture of subduing Mara was found in the small mandapa. Also discovered on the exterior wall of the latter mandapa were black floral designs like those on Chinese wares. Another striking character of Wat Chetuphon is a boundary wall enclosing the mandapa with four porches. Made of thick slate of large size, the wall has a frame and balustrade, imitating woodwork. To the west of the mandapa with four porches and the smaller one with indented corners in located a courtyard where a tree known as Phra Si Maha Pho was planted. A brick wall of 1 metre high was built to enclose this courtyard.

There is no evidence to point out when this temple was constructed. It is believed that the temple was not built yet during the reign of Pho Khun Ramkhanhaeng. According to the stone inscription of Wat Sorasak; around the middle of the 15th century AD, Venerable Phra Maha Thera Dharmatrailok who was an uncle of a Sukhothai ruler named Phra Maha Dharmaraja met with monks from Wat Chetuphon to discuss the construction of Chang Rop Chedi and other religious buildings during his stay at Wat Sorasak. Considering the name of Wat Chetuphon as mentioned in the said stone inscription together with its architecture style, it is presumable that Wat Chetuphon was an important and flourishing temple during the late Sukhothai period. A stone inscription was found at Wat Chetuphon. According to the inscription, Chao Thammarangsi, entering monkshood for 22 years, made a Buddha Image in 1514 AD out of his strong faith in Buddhism.
 
 Province   Sukhothai  Direction:      
 District   Mueang    
 City   Mueang Kao  Comments:    Official Web:    
 Genre   Historic      Related links:      
 Best exposure   AM/PM          
 Rating            
 Opening time   N/A          
 Entry fee   Park fee     GPS :   16.99786 N 99.707311 E  
                     
                     
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Wat Chetuphon  xx
 

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