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Travel To Nakhon Si Thammarat Province |
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Acknowledged as one of Southeast Asia’s most ancient cities, Nakhon Si Thammarat has been in existence for over 1,800 years. Not surprising, therefore. That this province reveals traces of civilization and is of historical significance. Ancient sites are found on both sides of ratchadamnoen Road, the main road in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Running through the heart of the city the road separates several aancient temples into two parts. Among these is Wat Suan Luang divided Eastern Wat Suan Luang and Western Wat Suan Luang. To explore Nakhon Si Thammarat we start at the National Museum and National Library both located on the original site of Eastern Wat Suan Luang. Historical evidence found at the museum stands as testimony to the cultural heritage of Nakhon Si Thammarat, which still serves as the cultural center of the upper south of Thailand. Next, we take you to admire the art of stucco relief fashioned by native craftsmen of Wat Suan Luang. Here, stucco figures depict the history of Buddhism on the vihara (secondary chapel) walls. Two houses for monks, or kuti, over a hundred years old clearly reflect the art of building ancient houses in the southern style. A canal lies to the north of Wat Suan Luang believed to be the old city’s original moat. The Suan Luang Canal is located between the old ancient city (Phra Wiang City) and the new ancient city officially called “Ancient Nakhon Si Thammarat City”. Across the Suan Luang Canal passing through the old Victory Gate to the south to enter the Ancient Nakhon Si Thammart city, you come across Wat Thao Khot a temple covering an area that used to house five, unattended temples. Scattered traces of ancient objects and archaeological sites are in evidence, such as pagoda bases in the Sri Vijaya style, ancient stone slabs and planks and murals of the early Rattanakosin Period. Wat Phra Mahathat, an old temple situated in the heart of the city, is acknowledged as a revered Buddhist structure in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Rated as a first-class royal temple, Wat Phra Mahathat is also significant, as it houses a large bell-shaped pagoda containing the Buddha’s relics. People come to pay homage to the relics throughout the year, especially on Makha Puja Day, the full-moon day of the third lunar months. Visitors wrap cloth around the sacred pagoda illustrating the history of Buddhism. Many important archaeological sites are also situated at Wat Phra Mahathat. Nearby Wat Phra Mahathat is Phra Suea Muang Shrine, which houses an idol of Theparak, an angle or the protective spirit of the city. Originally a wooden construction made during the Ayutthaya Period. Phra Suea Muang has been renovated to the point it looks much like a Chinese Shrine. Along Ratchadamnoen Road we find the Phra Buddhasihing Hall, which used to be part of the place and residence of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s rulers in former times. It is located between the town hall and provincial court. Phra Buddhasihing, a revered Buddha image among residents of the city, is a beautiful art form created by Nakhon Si Thammaraat craftsmen. Locals come to this hall to sprinkle scented water on Phra Buddhasihing during the Songkran Festival (traditional New Year) each year. The God Shiva’s hall and the God Narayana’s hall are the only Hindu historical sites on this tourism route. They share opposite locations on Ratchadamnoen Road before the ancient city wall, which used to be the location of the Victory Gate to the north. Next is Sala Pradu Hok, a pavilion built outside the city wall; the Sword Washing Pond, where the slaughterer washed his sward after killing poet Si Prat in ancient times, City Pillar and Phra Sung Vihara. | ||||||
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 October 2008 ) | ||||||
