Wat Phra Fang - |
|
วัดพระฝางสวางคบุรีมุนีนาถ |
|
Address: |
|
|
|
|
Known as: |
|
|
วัดพระฝาง |
|
Description: |
|
Wat Phra Fang or Wat Phra Fang Sawangkaburi Muninat is located
in Ban Fang, Mu 3, Phajuk sub-district, AmphoeMueang district,
Uttaradit province. This ancient temple was built in Sukhothai
period (B.E. 1700, before King RamkhamhaengMaharat, according to
the temple’s record.) It is the only archaeological site left
from all archaeological sites of Mueang Fang Sawangkaburi. It
was granted consecrated boundaries in Sukhothai period and was
the temple of MueangSawangkaburi (Mueang means town) which was
developed since Sukhothai period. Chao Phra Fang, the leader of
MueangSawangkaburi also stayed here when he was monk.
The
main feature of the temple is PhraMahathatChedi where Buddha
relics are inside. The Chedi is in the center of WatPhra Fang
archaeological sites. The chedi is believed to be built in
Sukhothai period as the record of Simon de La Loubčre, a French
diplomat in Ayutthaya era, said that the chedi and Buddha’s
footprint at Saraburi province were highly respected by the
local people.
King TaksinMaharat held a celebration for
PhraMaharat for 3 days which was the same period of the ceremony
of PhraPhutthaChinnarat after he won the war against Phra Chao
Fang. However, the faith in Phra That Mueang Fang decreased as
MueangSawangkaburi continued declining after Phra Chao Fang, the
leader lost the war. In the beginning of Rattanakosin era, the
chedi had deteriorated a lot, therefore, the King Rama 4
renovated it and converted it into Langka style chedi as seen
today.
In addition, WatPhra Fang also features
UbosotMaha-Ut (the ubosot has only one entrance.) which is on
the west of archaeological sites. This ubosot is Ayutthaya style
and was once the place where the Phra Fang Buddha image was
enshrined. Today, the ubosot still has a wooden door from
Ayutthaya era with a beautifully carved pediment (the actual
door and pediment are the replica one.) On the east of
archaeological sites is the royal vihara where the Chiang Saen
Buddha image was once established. Today, the carved wooden door
is maintained inside the royal vihara (the actual door is
replica which was built in 2008 to replace the real one which is
now kept in WatThammathippatai since 1951)
Nowadays,
WatPhra Fang is registered as archaeological site on the area of
about 32 Rai. |
|
Province |
|
Uttaradit |
Direction: |
|
|
|
District |
|
Mueang |
|
|
City |
|
Pha Chuk |
Comments: |
|
Official Web: |
|
|
|
Genre |
|
Temple |
|
|
Related links: |
|
|
|
Best exposure |
|
AM/PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening time |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entry fee |
|
Free |
|
|
GPS : |
|
17.63845 N |
100.22586 E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|