Wat Phra That Phanom วัดพระธาตุพนม - 1st Class Royal Temple - Nakhon Phanom Thailand 2023

Wat Phra That Phanom วัดพระธาตุพนม is a Buddhist temple in the That Phanom District in the south of Nakhon Phanom Province, all within the Isan region of Thailand near the Lao border. According to local legend, the temple contains in the pagoda the Phra Uranghathat (พระอุรังคธาตุ) Phra Ura (พระอุระ) Buddha's breast bones. As such, it is one of the most important structures for Theravada Buddhists and the most important Buddhist site in the province, with an annual week long festival being held in the town of That Phanom to honour the temple. This festival attracts thousands of people who make pilgrimages to the shrine. In Thai folk Buddhism, Wat Phra That Phanom is a popular pilgrimage destination for those born in the year of the Monkey.

The That Phanom Chronicle documented that the Phra That Phanom stupa was first constructed 8 years after the Buddha's death by the five kings of the Mon kingdom, known as Sri Gotupura. Archaeological findings suggest that the earliest structure found dates back to the 7th or 8th century.

According to local legend, the Buddha told Mahakasyapa, one of his principal disciples, that once he died, Mahakasyapa was to bring his breast bones to Phu Kampra to allow Buddhism to continue on. Then in 525 B.C, Mahakasyapa then decided on constructing a temple on Phu Kampra. Joined by 500 Arhats and 5 Phrayas, they built the Phra That Phanom stupa primarily from clay and once completed, the Buddha's breastbones were brought over from India and placed inside.

The pagoda is believed to have been built before the 1100s with its original Khmer design. However years of being part Lao kingdoms led to several renovations which created the current pagoda in a Lao style.

In 1690, the pagoda was restored and raised to about 47 meters, and then by a further 10 meters in 1940 to its current height.

In 1935, the complex was registered as an ancient monument for preservation by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand.

In March 1975, an earthquake caused cracks to appear. On 11 August 1975 at 7:38 p.m, the entire pagoda collapsed due to several days of heavy rain. it was rebuilt with funds raised by the public and from the Thai government, which was completed on 23 March 1979.

Then current king Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit along with other royal members visitied the site when the Buddha's relics were re-installed. Many valuables were placed inside during its rebuilding and a 110 kilogram gold sphire was added on top the pagoda. Buddhists from Laos also participated, placing many valuable items from Vientiane within, such as Lan Xang style golden seven tiered umbrella to help protect the temple.

The Chedi and temple is very beautiful. The architecture is not traditional Thai but is still amazing to see. Well worth a special trip to see if you get a chance.

Enjoy the video!

If you would like to support the channel through unique items only found here visit my store

https://youtube.com/channel/UC7Nk0oxkpoyOXvZ-BESD6-g/store

You can also see my videos on Rumble, Bitchute, Odysee and Subscribe Star. If you have any questions or comments and wish to contact me directly I can be reached by email at endlessjourneytravels@gmail.com

https://www.bitchute.com/channel/pYUe8EgYcUMc/

https://odysee.com/$/latest/@EndlessJourney

https://rumble.com/c/EndlessJourney

https://www.subscribestar.com/endless-journey

Follow me on Twitter @AEndlessJourney

#endlessjourney
#travel
#thailand