There are nine sacred sites around the ancient town of Lop Buri featuring historical landmarks such as King Narai the Great’s palace, temples and archaeological sites of interest to visitors.
Wat Phra Srirattana Mahathat temple is a good place to start the historical tour. At the temple, pay homage to the ancient relics of Lord Buddha in a gesture of respect.
LOP BURI PROVINCE
Historical records indicate that the town of Lop Buri had been settled since the 6th to 11th centuries A.D., referred to as the Dvaravati period in art history. It was then named the “Lavo” culture.
By the 10th century A.D., the Khmer empire had extended to Lavo. Khmer rule and influence continued to dominate in the town of Lavo until the middle of the 13th century when Thais migrating from the North settled in the area, defeated the Khmers and declared an independent Thai state. Since then, Lop Buri has been under Thai rule. As a result of Thai and Khmer cultural influences, Lavo culture was soon engulfed.
As a result of this legacy, several fine Khmer-style monuments can still be seen around Lop Buri town, such as the Phra Kan shrine, a Hindu shrine.
APPRECIATING BUDDHIST ART AND SCULPTURE
In Buddhist art and sculpture, Lord Buddha is often portrayed in four basic postures: standing, sitting and walking, reflecting daily activities such as teaching, meditating or offering refuge to his disciples. The Reclining Buddha represents Buddha's final moments upon attainment of the state of ultimate Nirvana.
In the appreciation of Buddhist art and sculptures, individuals who practice Buddhism, as much as archaeological experts, and art historians are held in awe by the facial expression and degrees of subtlety conveyed in what at a passing glance, would appear to be stylized faces.
WAT PHRA SI RATTANA MAHATHAT TEMPLE
The temple is of significant historical and archaeological importance. Thought to be built in the 12th century during Khmer rule over the town of Lavo, (present-day Lop Buri). The temple underwent several restorations in the Ayutthaya period. The ruins of numerous ‘prangs’ -- the towers of the main sanctuary of Khmer-style temples and chedi (stupas) built in the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya architectural style can still be seen.
WAT KWIDRARAM RACHA VORAVIHARN TEMPLE
The statue of Lord Buddha in the ‘Maravijaya’ – Victory over Mara (evil) posture and mural paintings are some of the ancient treasures to be admired.
WAT CHOENG TAO
Ho Sophon Silpa Musuem is the main attraction.
WAT SAO TONG THONG
The temple is to the north of the Royal Palace. The viharn and seated Buddha are from the Ayutthaya period. King Narai initiated a restoration of the original viharn (the main sanctuary or building that houses the Buddha image and ordination hall) and replaced its windows with Gothic-style windows. Lop Buri-style Buddhas seated on the Naga are enshrined in niches along the inner walls of the temple.
WAT MANEE CHOLLAKARN
The monastery was originally called Wat Ko Kaeo as it was situated on a small island. The Look Sorn (arrow) Shrine, Chedi Luang Phor Saeng (stupa), the ubosot (chapel hall) and the viharn are of interest.
WAT TONG PU
A statue of Lord Buddha in a meditative state is of particular interest. Lord Buddha is seated the Naga, the mythical Serpent King. The coiled body raises Lord Buddha above the floodwaters in the torrential rain, while the hood of the Naga provides shelter from the rain.
SAN WAT PHRA KAN SHRINE
The San Phra Kan shrine, situated opposite the Prang Sam Yod - Temple of the Three Towers), is of Brahman origin and consists of two sections. The older section dates back to the Khmer period and takes the form of a laterite mound.
Chao Phra Khan – Deity of Wat Phra Kan shrine
The new section consists of a building constructed in 1951. It houses a four-armed figure of a deity, but bearing the head of Lord Buddha. A troop of native monkeys, constant companions of the deity, feast of the offerings presented to the deity by worshippers.
Wat Prang Sam Yod (Temple of the Three-Spired Towers)
“Prang” refers to the towers of the main sanctuary of temples constructed in the Khmer architectural style.
Wat Prang Sam Yod, also known as the Phra Prang Sam Yod, the landmark of Lop Buri was once a Hindu shrine constructed in the classic Khmer-Lop Buri style with laterite and sandstone decorated with stucco.
The adjoining prang signify the Hindu trinity of Brahman, Vishnu and Shiva.
In the reign of King Narai, the shrine was converted to a Buddhist temple. Two of the Khmer-style towers now house Buddha images in the Lop Buri-style.
KING NARAI THE GREAT MEMORIAL
KING NARAI THE GREAT
The historic city of Lop Buri enjoyed tremendous prosperity for over 3,000 years and rose to its height of civilization during the reign of King Narai the Great, one of the great kings of Ayutthaya who made Lop Buri the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam.
Noted for his sharp intellect and skills in international diplomacy, King Narai the Great was the first Siamese monarch to establish diplomatic relations with France, then under the rule of King Louis XIV. He also pursued cordial relations with other Western powers.
King Narai was fascinated by the technological and scientific developments of the West and brought western architecture, engineering, and astronomy to the Siamese kingdom. Foreign influence is clearly visible in many of the structures built during his reign as seen in the application of modern technology in the construction of an observatory and in the laying of terracotta pipes to supply water to the palace.
As King Narai spent 8 to 9 months of the year in Lop Buri, the city functionally served as a second capital city to Ayutthaya and it evolved into an important centre of administration, trade and international relations. It was also an important port of call for trade vessels heading south.
With the battle skills of King Narai's army uncontested, Lop Buri saw the emergence of exquisite art and architecture and its cultural sophistication flourished.
In 1666 A.D., King Narai the Great commissioned the construction of the Phra Narai Ratchanivet Palace, taking twelve years to complete. A place with a rich history and fascinating past, today the whole compound is the site of the National Museum of Lop Buri which houses one of Thailand’s most interesting historical collections. With its evocative architecture and lush forecourt, Phra Narai Ratchanivet Palace provides a dramatic setting.
Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office - Region 7
Tel: +66 (0) 3642 2768-9
Fax: +66 (0) 3642 4089
E-mail: tatlobri@tat.or.th |
