A Fulfilling Hour at Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, January 2009 -- Nakhon Pathom is a city in central Thailand, capital of the province of the same name, home of Silpakorn University (within the Sanam Chan Palace). Its most important landmark is the Phra Pathom Chedi, the world's tallest stupa at close to 130 meters.

Unfortunately, the entire structure of the giant chedi was undergoing maintenance work at the time of my visit. Bamboo scaffolding and some construction netting engulfed the whole stupa, making it look like a spiked bell in the distance. But not matter, the sheer size of the structure is simply an exercise in awe.

The name Phra Pathom Chedi means holy stupa of the beginning. The stupa at the location was first mentioned in scriptures around 675 AD; however, archaeological findings date a first stupa to the 4th century. In the 11th century it was built over with a Khmer-style prang, which was later overgrown by the jungle. The ruin was visited several times by the later King Mongkut during his time as a monk, and after his coronation he ordered the building of a new and more magnificent chedi at the site. After 17 years construction was finished in 1870, and the population of nearby Nakhon Chai Si was ordered to move to the newly created town around the chedi.