Wat Mahathat translates as ââ¬Ågreat relicââ¬Â, and it is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Thailand. Historians believe that Wat Mahathat was established in the 13 th century, and rebuilt in the first half of the 14 th century. Its structures are a main vihara, a single ubosot, 10 other viharas and 200 secondary chedi. The wealth of monuments indicates the significance of this wat as being the religious centre of the town of Sukhothai. The stucco frieze work on the monuments has been restored. Wat Mahathat is built of laterite and surrounded by brick walls and a moat. The main chedi is in the characteristic Sukhothai shape of a lotus bud. It is believed to contain relics of Buddha. Two huge Buddhas reside at the entrance. Of the eight smaller surrounding chedi, the four brick ones at the cardinal points reflect Khmer style, and the four on the sides indicate Lan Na art. The niches of these smaller chedi contain 28 Buddha images and stucco reliefs which illustrate the life of Buddha. The artwork here reflects that of the Singhalese and Burmese. At the base of the main chedi Buddhist disciples in adoration are depicted in stucco relief.
|
