Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Temple

Address: Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Hours: Daily 6:00-18:00

Admission: Temple complex access free; small donations expected at specific shrines and museums adjacent to the temple.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat is a major Buddhist temple in Phitsanulok, Thailand, best known for housing the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, a highly revered and beautifully crafted Buddha image dating to the 14th century. It serves as the city’s principal temple and pilgrimage site.

The temple complex includes the main viharn where the principal image is displayed and the ubosot used for ordination and ritual ceremonies, both constructed in classical Thai monastic architectural form. Visitors come to view and pay respects to the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat and to see the surrounding temple art and murals.

Historically the temple dates from the Sukhothai-to-Early-Ayutthaya period and has long been central to Phitsanulok’s religious and civic life, with restorations and additions over the centuries. It remains an active monastic site hosting major Buddhist festivals and daily worship.

The temple is located in central Phitsanulok near the east bank of the Nan River, within easy reach of the city’s historic center and transport links.

• Principal image: The temple’s principal Buddha image is widely regarded in Thailand for its artistic quality and is a focal point for pilgrimage and photography.

What to See#

• Phra Phuttha Chinnarat: The principal image is a highly venerated gilt Buddha statue created in the 14th century and displayed in the viharn for public viewing.
• Viharn and Ubosot: The viharn and ubosot form the temple’s main ceremonial halls, with the viharn housing the principal image and the ubosot used for ordination and liturgical rites.

Phitsanulok is accessible by train from Bangkok; the temple is in the city center and a short tuk‑tuk ride from the train station. Local buses and songthaews also serve the central temple area.

• Arrive in the morning to see the main Buddha and to avoid the midday heat; weekday mornings are quieter than weekends and festival times.
• Photographing the main viharn (assembly hall) is rewarding for its gilded rooflines and the lacquered, gold-leafed Buddha image inside - but be respectful of worshippers during prayers.
• Combine with a visit to the nearby Khok Mueang markets to taste local northern Thai dishes.