The First Great Stupa of Suvarnabhumi and Center of Faith in Nakhon Pathom
TravelLikeTheWind : Suchart Choolee
Phra Pathom Chedi is the largest Buddhist stupa in Thailand, standing at 120.5 meters tall with a circular base of 233 meters, built in the traditional Sri Lankan-style inverted bell shape. It is located within Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan, a first-class royal temple in the heart of Nakhon Pathom, and is also featured as the official provincial emblem. The chedi’s origins trace back to the Dvaravati civilization, with the original stupa believed to have had an inverted-bowl base and a prang spire, dating to around the 4th Buddhist century (1st–2nd century CE), possibly built by missionaries sent from Emperor Ashoka’s India to propagate Buddhism in Suvarnabhumi.
In 1853 CE (B.E. 2396), King Mongkut (Rama IV), during his monkhood, came across the dilapidated ancient stupa—then known as Phra Tham Chedi—during his pilgrimage. Upon ascending the throne, he commissioned the construction of a new chedi enveloping the old structure, along with the addition of a surrounding cloister (viharn khot) and walkways, a project that was later completed during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1870 CE (B.E. 2413), taking 17 years in total. The newly built chedi enshrines sacred relics of the Buddha (Phra Borom Saririkatat).
Under King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), the temple was designated as the royal temple of his reign, with further enhancements including mural paintings inside the main vihara and the installation of the Phra Ruang Rojanarit statue—an upright Buddha in the gesture of forgiveness, cast from parts of ancient Buddha statues from Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai, and placed at the northern entrance of the chedi.
The temple complex also houses the Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Museum (east of the ordination hall), which exhibits artefacts from various historical periods including Ban Chiang, Dvaravati, and Sukhothai—such as stone Dharmachakra, Buddha images, medicine grinding stones, ancient coins, and the coffin and ritual altar of Ya Lheow.
Every year, from the 12th waxing moon to the 5th waning moon of the 12th lunar month (usually in November), the temple hosts the Phra Pathom Chedi Worship Festival, lasting 9 days and 9 nights. This major annual celebration draws pilgrims and visitors from across Thailand, offering them an opportunity to pay homage for blessings, and to engage in folk performances, cultural exhibitions, and local traditions.
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