Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri

Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri is located at the foot of Sakae Krang Hill in Uthai Thani Province, at the end of Tha Chang Road within the municipal area. This important temple serves as both a religious center and a historical-cultural landmark. Inside the vihara, the principal Buddha image, Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Sakdi Sit, is enshrined, regarded as the guardian of Uthai Thani and a symbol of the city’s spiritual identity.

 

Historically, during the reign of King Rama I (Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok the Great), it was decreed that small damaged Buddha images be distributed to provincial towns. Uthai Thani received three images, which were transported by raft and landed at Tha Phra, directly opposite the Uthai Thani Provincial Public Hall, before being enshrined at Wat Khwid. One of these images is a large bronze Buddha in the Mara Vichaya posture with a 3-sok wide lap, originally crafted during King Lithai’s reign by skilled Sukhothai artisans. The head and body of this image were initially separate and were later restored as a single piece before being brought to Uthai Thani.

 

Later, when Wat Khwid was merged with Wat Thung Kaew, this Buddha image was moved to Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri, located about 1 kilometer from the city center. A ceremony was held to enshrine a relic of the Buddha within the image’s head, and it was officially named “Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Sakdi Sit.” Every year on the waning day of the first lunar month of the 11th lunar month, the temple hosts the Tak Bat Thewo festival, where approximately 500 monks descend the Sakae Krang Hill staircase to receive alms at the temple courtyard, marking one of the province’s most significant cultural-religious events.

 

The temple is easily accessible from the city center via Tha Chang Road. The vihara housing Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Sakdi Sit is on the left, while the staircase leading up Sakae Krang Hill is on the right, offering visitors panoramic views of Uthai Thani. This combination of spiritual significance, historical importance, and scenic beauty makes Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri a key destination for both pilgrims and tourists.

 

Visitors can engage with the temple’s religious rituals, explore its rich history, and experience local traditions firsthand. The temple not only serves as a site for worship but also as a cultural hub where the heritage, artistry, and devotion of Uthai Thani are vividly expressed. With its serene environment, elevated views, and historical value, Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri remains a symbol of faith, culture, and community life in Uthai Thani.