Wat Phra Boromthat (Monk Boromthat Temple) is situated in the area known as Ancient Tak City. In addition to the Wat, one will find a number of ruins including a hill-top pagoda in Phum Khao Binth style (of the Sukhothai era). Wat Phra Boromthat is in Ban Tak (City), Tak Province.
History Lesson (as cited on signage on location):
According to history, this temple was built in 493 B.D. (after the Buddha had died 50 years) by four clergies: Sothitathera, Mahathera, Keerinantathera. The four clergies brought the frontal bone and four hairs of the Buddha to this hill (Doi-Mahiyoungka) and stored these holy parts in the small square pagoda for the people who believed in Buddhism and divinities to pay respect to the Lord Buddha.
After Phra Thong Yoo Suriyo (the principal of this temple during 1907-1974) came back from making a pilgrimage to the Chavedakong pagoda in Burma, he decided to restore the pagoda by rebuilding a bigger octagon pagoda to ver the old one, similar to the Chavedakong pagoda style. The height of this new pagoda is 23 metres and the base is 63 metres. It is surrounded by 16 small pagoda, each with the height of 7.16 metres and the base of 7.40 metre. Additionally, the outer skirt of the pagoda is surrounded by 12 big and 6 small mondobs (a square structure with four arches and a pyramidal root). The big mondobs are used for storing an image of Buddha and the small mondobs are used for storing candles.
Throughout the years, Pra Thaon Yoo Suriyo had built and developed this temple for younger generations. He looked after this temple until his last minutes, Pra Thong Yoo Suriyo passed away on March 26, 1974, at the age of 87. He had been in the Buddhist lent for 67 years.
For Thailand hotel reviews, travel information and tips, check out Backpacking Thailand, my free Thailand resource.
Leave a Reply