Wat Chaiyo Worawihan, Ang Thong Province

Wat Chaiyo Worawihan was originally an ancient temple of the people. Later, during the reign of King Rama IV, Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommarangsi) of Wat Rakhang Khositaram built a large cement Buddha statue in the meditation posture without gold leaf and placed it outdoors at this temple. During the reign of King Rama V, he came to pay homage and ordered the renovation of Wat Chaiyo in 2430 B.E. 2430. During the laying of the foundation of the chapel, the Luang Pho To statue collapsed. Therefore, the King ordered the construction of a new Luang Pho To statue in the same style as Luang Pho To of Wat Kalayanamit. It has a lap width of 16.10 meters and a height of 22.65 meters and was named "Phra Maha Phutthaphim". The chapel was built to house the Buddha statue with a height of 1 sen. The ubosot was built as a protruding porch, and 4 pavilions were built around the chapel. It was completed in the Year of the Goat in 2438 B.E. The renovation took 8 years. King Chulalongkorn His Majesty graciously granted permission to upgrade Wat Chaiyo to a royal temple since the first phase of the renovation, along with granting the name of the newly created Buddha image as “Phra Maha Phutthaphim”. In addition, His Majesty granted permission to hold a grand celebration of Wat Chaiyo temple for 3 days and 3 nights on October 5-7, 1895. The royal gifts included 1 drama, 1 cinema, 1 firework, 2 Kalpavriksha trees. Later, in 1988, the gilding of Phra Maha Phutthaphim began, under the supervision of the Fine Arts Department. #Mongpapai