Situated in the center of town, the 7th century
Wat Mahathat contains the square-
shaped
Phra That Phra Anon chedi believed to house the
relics of Phra Anon, Buddha’s closest disciple.
Various festivals are staged here throughout the
year.
The highly anticipated annual Rocket Festival is
launched at the Phraya Than Public Park. A small
stream encircles the 18-rai park with landscaped
gardens, children playground and fitness park. The
park obtained its name from the Rain God, Phraya
Than, who, according to northeastern beliefs, must
be presented with shooting rockets to ensure regular
rainfall.
After the rice-harvesting season, villagers of
Ban Sri Than turn their attention to weaving and
producing the famous ‘mon khit’ triangular-shaped
pillows, which are hugely popular among visitors.
The village of Ban Toong Nang Oak is noted for
its basketry products, with common usage as household
utensils and as gift items. Fine basketry works
and replicas of carved ox-carts can be obtained
from the nearby village of Ban Na Samai.
Within Phu Tham Phra (Buddhist Cave Mountain) are
numerous sacred, ancient
Buddha
images housed inside a vast cavern area. It is rather
easy to transverse across the simple cavern network,
with entrance at the southern cliff walls and stretching
to the north. Explorations are possible at other
nearby caves. Because of
the thick foliage, the mountain air is constantly
cool and pleasant.
During the summer months of December to May, the
receding Chi River exposes a 2-km stretch of sandy
beach, transforming into a recreational area facilitated
by food stall establishments.
Historical ruins can be viewed at 2 places in Khum
Kuan Kaew District, Wat Song Puey and Dong Muang
Tia. The former features an 8-m high Buddha image
that is over 200 years old and an ancient chedi
that houses dirt from a holy place in India. The
latter contains ruins of a water pool and the city
walls of an ancient town believed to date back to
the 7th century.
Regarded as the prized antique treasure of Yasothon,
the Phra Buddha Bath Holy
Footprint
is located on a white, sandy mound jutting up from
the Chi River basin. Nearby is another ancient relic,
a laterite Buddha statue of the Nak Prok posture,
with ancient scripts inscribed into the laterite
slab saying that they were brought over from Ayutthaya
in the 8th century. Also inscribed are prayers paying
homage to the Holy Footprint. During March-April,
devoted worshippers converge here to pay homage
to the Holy Footprint.
Legend has it that historical, laterite Ku Jan
pagoda has been in existence since the construction
of the famous Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom
1,500 years ago.
The 18th century, brick Phra That Kong Khao Noi
(Small Mound of Rice) pagoda reflects architectural
styles of the late Ayutthaya period. Legend says
a young farmer built the pagoda as repentance for
murdering his mother out of hunger.
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