Thailand is known for its ornate shrines and golden temples. Wat Panancherng is one of the most impressive Buddhist temples, given that it is over seven hundred years old. It is located in the city of Ayutthaya, which is eighty kilometres from Bangkok, the Thai capital. Chao Phraya cruise boats sail along the river past the elegant temple, among them the converted rice barges of Anantara Cruises, Thailand. The temple sits on an island at the meeting place of the Pasak River and the Chao Phraya River.
Historic records indicate Wat Panancherng dates back to 1324 AD but the modern architecture of the complex suggests the original structures may have been rebuilt more recently. One of the main features of the complex is the imposing gold-plated Buddha statue that is housed in a separate building with a high roof. The statue is referred to as Phra Chao Phananchoeng. The Lord Buddha is depicted in a seated position, known as Subduing Mara. It measures fourteen and a quarter metres at the widest point and it reaches a height of nineteen metres.
Even several centuries on, the Buddhist temple of Wat Panancherng is a fully functioning temple. The Buddhist community in the area worship at the temple daily and it is often bustling with activity. The Thai people, as well as the Chinese, believe the Buddha statue brings good luck. There are several Chinese letters inscribed outside the main building that points to this belief. The Buddha statue is draped in robes that are changed periodically, during which a religious ceremony takes place. To get to the temple, it is easiest to catch a ferry that only charges a few bhat from the center of the city.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
