The Stupa of Phra Maha That, Nakhon Si Thammarat

The monastery is a remarkable architectural reminder of the artistic virtuosity of the southern Thai ar chi tects. The stupa, where the Buddha relics are housed, was built during the reign of King Si Thammasokarat in 555 A.D. when Nakhon Si Thammarat was first established. The structure is obviously influenced by the Sin gha lese art.

The bell element is an upturned round bowl standing on a rectangular platform and sur round ed by a gallery-in ambulatory called Kamphaeng Kaeo. The space between the wall and the stupa forms a path, normally known as Lan Prataksin, surrounding the relic chedi. At the four corners of the square base stand another four smaller chedi, each housing a Bud dha image in its niches.  At the top of this chedi is a spherical dew-drop.

The stupa at Muang Boran is smaller than the original one at Nakhon Si Thammarat by one-third.

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