Wat Khiriwong is a major temple and a tourist attraction in the Northern Thai city of Nakhon Sawan.
Pagoda at Wat KhiriwongWat Khiriwong is open to visitors every day of the year from 07:00 to 18:00 and admission is free, although donations are welcome and necessary for the funding of the temple.
About Wat Khiriwong
Wat Khiriwong is a temple of two parts. The main part of the temple is close to Nakhon Sawan city centre.
Entrance to Wat KhiriwongMain Temple
Wat Khiriwong is an active Buddhist temple with resident monks. Beyond the main entrance gate is collection of new looking buildings where the monks live, worship and educational activities take place. There is a large car park near a very large prayer hall and collection of Buddha statues in a variety of styles.
Main prayer hall at Wat KhiriwongBeyond this main part of Wat Khiriwong a road leads up to the top of a hill, which is the highest point in Nakhon Sawan city. On the way up to the top the road passes an ordination hall constructed in the mid 20th Century and a Shinto Style shrine.
Hill top Buddha statue at Wat KhiriwongChedi on the Hill
The walk from the main part of Wat Khiriwong up to the top of the hill is abut 1.5 km and it is up hill all the way. The reward for completing this long walk is a reach a second and more interesting part of Wat Khiriwong.
Phra Chulamanee Chedi at Wat KhiriwongThe main attraction as Wat Khiriwong is located in this hill top section of the temple in the form of a golden pagoda known as Phra Chulamanee Chedi (also written in English as Phra Chulamani Chedi and Phra Prajulamanee Chedi).
Four faced Buddha at the Phra Chulamanee ChediConstruction of the Phra Prajulamanee Chedi commenced in 1981 and was only completed 37 years later in 2018. The construction of the pagoda was initiated by a well known local monk and has been funded entirely by donations.
Replica Buddha statues at the Phra Chulamanee ChediAbout the Phra Prajulamanee Chedi
Phra Prajulamanee Chedi is a three level building with a tall chedi Sri Lankan style chedi tower on the roof. The central chedi is surrounding by 4 smaller chedi built on the roof of the second level of the pagoda and another 4 chedi at ground level. The style of building is reminiscent of other classic forms of Buddhist architecture, such as the Loha Prasat at Wat Ratchanatda in Bangkok.
Top floor of the Phra Chulamanee ChediAll 3 levels of the Phra Prajulamanee Chedi contain shrines and Buddha statues, including replicas of the three most important Buddha statues in Thailand: the Phra Kaeo Makarot, the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, and the Luang Po Sothon. The most important, however, is the top level which has a smaller chedi enshrined within which is a holy relic.
View from the Phra Chulamanee ChediEven if you have no interest whatsoever in Buddhism or temples, a trip to Phra Prajulamanee Chedi is worth making for the views. The hill top location of pagoda makes it an excellent viewpoint over Nakhon Sawan and the surrounding area.
Location of Wat Khiriwong
- Wat Khiriwong is located 2.9 km by road from Nakhon Sawan Bus Terminal.
