Wat Chedi Yod Thong

Wat Chedi Yod Thong
Posted on: 22nd February 2016 Posted by: arthit

A Historic Buddhist Temple in Phitsanulok
Built during the Sukhothai era, Wat Chedi Yod Thong is an important historic Buddhist temple in Phitsanulok city. It is primarily famous for its bud shaped Sukhothai-style chedi (also known as the Lotus Bud Chedi). On the premises of Wat Chedi Yod Thong, you’ll find a small lake/pond and a complex of monk quarters facing toward it. Also to be seen is a small yet modern temple building nearby. The wat also houses an ordination hall as well as an administration building. Entrance to the temple is unrestricted and free of cost. However, you could offer a small donation upon your visit for the upkeep of the temple. You can take pictures of the statue of the Buddha and around the temple as photography is permitted inside. You can even chat with the local monks who will tell you interesting things about the universe and just about everything related to life.

The Lotus Bud Chedi of Wat Chedi Yod Thong

Dating back to the Sukhothai era (mid 13th to mid 15th century), the ancient lotus bud chedi is the main attraction at Wat Chedi Yod Thong. This is now the only remaining Sukhothai-style chedi to be found in the entire Phitsanulok Province and is the sole vestige of what once used to be a large temple complex. It gives off a solitary appearance, standing unaccompanied as the last remainder of a larger whole. The red brick structure, erected in the middle of the wat grounds on a terraced base, rises to a height of about 20 meters. Traces of stucco can be seen on its outer walls and the entire exterior may well have been decorated with Buddha figures at some time. At the base of this chedi are two statues – one of a local abbot and the other of the king who had the chedi built.

All in all, it is the lotus bud chedi that makes Wat Chedi Yod Thong worthy of a visit on a day-trip in Phitsanulok. Make this trip in a Phitsanulok car rental, which not only adds comfort to traveling but also comes with insurances like CDW and THW, which are provided by the suppliers to ensure a smooth trip.