Wat Phra That Cho Hae: The Sacred Pagoda of the Goat Year

🙏 The Phra That Cho Hae pagoda is a religious site of great importance to the people of Phrae and is the birth year pagoda for those born in the year of the Goat. Constructed between 1879-1881 during the reign of King Mahathammaracha Lithai, the pagoda is an octagonal chedi with twelve indented corners, built with brick and stucco and covered with brass sheets, gilded with gold leaf. It is in the Chiang Saen art style and enshrines a relic of the Buddha's hair and a part of the left shoulder bone of the Buddha. Other sacred objects within the temple that are worth paying respects to include: 🙏 Luang Phor Cho Hae, the principal Buddha image in the ubosot, which is in the Lanna art style mixed with Chiang Saen and Sukhothai. 🙏 Phra Phuttha Lokanart Bopit, the principal Buddha image in the vihara, is in the adapted Lanna art style and is a metal brass Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara, gilded with gold leaf, and surrounded by beautiful mural paintings. 🙏 Phra Chao Mai Sak, carved from golden teak wood, is in the Lanna art period style. 🙏 Phra Chao Non, constructed with brick and stucco and gilded with gold leaf, is in the Myanmar art style and is a revered Buddha image by the people of Phrae. Before going up to worship the Phra That Cho Hae, locals often pay respects to Phra Chao Non first. 🙏 The ancient Dhammasana, a teak sermon hall with Thai and Lanna mixed carvings, gilded with gold leaf. 🙏 The stupa of Kruba Srivichai contains the fifth of the seven parts of his relics, built to commemorate his contributions to Buddhism. 🙏 Near Phra That Cho Hae, there is a shrine for Phra Chao Tan Jai, a Buddha image in the meditation posture, made of stucco and gilded with gold leaf, created in 2465 BE. Phra Chao Tan Jai is a highly revered Buddha image that people often come to worship and make vows. 🧒 Visitors to Phrae province must pay homage to Phra That Cho Hae for good fortune. It is said that if you visit Phrae but do not pay respects to Phra That Cho Hae, it is as if you have not truly arrived in Phrae. 🧎♂️ Wat Phra That Cho Hae: Cho Hae Road, Cho Hae Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province 🧎♂️ Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZErghSoK8Xb2YTxr5 🧎♂️ Opening hours: 06:00 AM – 07:00 PM