Phra Luang Pho To of Viharn Loi in Sukhothai Province is one of the most revered Buddha images associated with miraculous legends that have been passed down through generations. It is considered a spiritual anchor and a sacred guardian for the people of Kong Krailat District and throughout Sukhothai. The statue is a stucco Buddha in the Mara Vichai posture, ancient and culturally significant, though its exact period of construction remains unknown. Stories and folklore tell of its miraculous power, which has made it well known across the region.

 

According to legend, during the Burmese invasion of Phitsanulok, the Burmese army passed through Ban Kong in Kong Krailat District. Out of arrogance, soldiers fired cannons at the viharn (main hall) that housed Luang Pho To, causing the structure to collapse. Yet the Buddha image itself remained completely unharmed, with only a mark left on the statue as a reminder of the cruelty of war. For many years after the viharn was destroyed, the Buddha image was left exposed to the sun and rain. Then, on the full moon night of the third lunar month, villagers nearby felt the earth tremble. At dawn, they discovered that the sacred image had miraculously moved from its original position to sit beneath a golden rain tree (Cassia fistula), about three wa (roughly six meters) away. From that day on, people began calling it “Luang Pho To Viharn Loi,” or the “Floating Viharn Buddha.”

 

The name “Viharn Loi” also relates to another phenomenon. Each year when the Yom River floods the temple grounds, villagers must elevate their pavilions and monk dwellings more than six sok (about three meters) above ground to escape the waters. However, the viharn housing Luang Pho To always remained unaffected by floods, as though floating above the waters. Locals believed that a golden and silver barge lay hidden beneath the viharn, supporting it to float, chained and anchored to a sacred bodhi tree. Such stories reinforced people’s faith and reverence toward Luang Pho To.

 

For the community, Luang Pho To is not only an ancient Buddha image but also a symbol of hope, protection, and prosperity. People believe that paying respect to the Buddha brings blessings, shields them from misfortune, and ensures a life of well-being. Each year, during the full moon of the fourth lunar month or after the rice harvest, villagers and devotees from all over Thailand gather at Wat Kong Krailat to celebrate the grand festival in honor of Luang Pho To. The event is both a religious ceremony and a cultural tradition, serving to unite the community and preserve the heritage of their ancestors.

 

Offerings to Luang Pho To typically include flowers, incense, candles, and gold leaf. Devotees participate in Buddhist chants, merit-making, and gilding the statue, alongside other ritual practices such as candlelight processions. These acts of devotion are more than mere rituals; they embody the deep spiritual bond between the community and the sacred image, while passing on moral values and Buddhist teachings to future generations.

 

Luang Pho To of Viharn Loi at Wat Kong Krailat thus represents more than a historical and religious monument. It is a cultural legacy that embodies faith, morality, and the miraculous traditions of Sukhothai. Its legends and rituals continue to inspire reverence and bind people together, making it a timeless symbol of spiritual strength and cultural identity for the region.