REALITY: Our car rental was sending us a new car from Bangkok which arrived only by 1:00 PM . So in the morning, we drove in our old car to Wat Traphang Thong, Wat Si Chum, then went to Wat Phiphat Mongkon [teak temple] and came back by 1 PM when our new car arrived and started off to Chiang mai only by 2:00 PM . There was constant rain making it difficult to drive in the dark on the windy roads So we decided to stop at Lampang
STAY: Lampang River Lodge
We went to this wat 1st but aggressive dogs made it unpleasant
We drove on to wat Traphang Thong or "golden lake monastery" located next to the Sukhothai eastern city gate. This temple was built around 14th century
Wat Phra Phai Luang
We drove here 1st, then a monk directed us to drive further for the famous Buddha with golden fingers
Wat Si Chum
Situated 800 metres west of Wat Phra Phai Luang is Wat Si Chum,known for its mondop with a large image of the Buddha partly visible from outside.
. The name of the temple translates to “temple of the Bodhi tree”
A wihan in the form of a square mondop, which is the main sanctuary, houses a large monumental stucco Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara called “Phra Atchana”, which is 11.3 metres in width. “Achana” means a person who is not anxious but strong.
The roof has already disintegrated, exposing just 4 walls of stuccoed bricks. There are no windows here. It is believed that a vaulted roof probably covered the wihan.
There is a narrow passageway in the south wall with steps leading up to the side of the Buddha image and onto the top part of the wall. On the wall of the passageway features 700-year-old fainted paintings while on the ceiling are more than 50 engraved slate slabs illustrating Jataka scenes. A spectacular panoramic view of the Sukhothai Ancient City is visible on the rooftop accessible by the passageway. The passage is now closed due to safety concern.
To boost morale of the ancient soldiers was the main reason . The kings of the Phra Ruang Dynasty could go through the hidden passageway and address the people through a hole, making them believe the voice they were hearing was actually the Buddha's.
The Phra Achana is the largest Buddha image in Sukhothai measuring 15 meters high and 11 meters wide. The Sukhothai style image wearing a serene facial expression occupies the total space of the mondop’s interior. At the center of the mondop is an opening diminishing in size towards the top through which the image can be seen from the outside.
Wat Phiphat Mongkhon was a royal temple established in the Vien Mok era (around 1129 A.D.)
Wat Phiphat Mongkhon is located at 464 Moo 9, Baan Ta Chom, Tambon Tung Saleam, Amphoe Tung Saleam, SukhoThai.
It is one of the important temples in Sukhothai and was constructed on the old temple's area.
This temple consists of Ubosot (Ordination Hall), Viharn (Buddha images Hall), school, kitchen and the meditation garden. The sacred objects in the temple consist of many Sukhothai Buddha images, which was unearthed in that construction period, and Buddha's relics which is from Sri La Ka.
This is where the golden Sukhothai-style Buddha image, made of 9-kilogramme gold, or Phra Phutthasukhophothong, in the subduing Mara attitude, is enshrined.
Lampang River Lodge
We drove back to our hotel in Sukhothai and our new car was there driven from Bangkok. We had our lunch and started off after 2 PM to Chiang Mai
There was steady drizzle and the roads were windy and dark. There was constant rain making it difficult to drive in the dark on the windy roads So we decided to stop at Lampang River Lodge.
Beautiful room with amazing antique furniture The mirror frame and the bed headrest were things of beauty. The bathroom sink was clogging and the toilet seat refused to stay on.
Their breakfast was varied and excellent, The setting by the riverside was scenic and stunning
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