Nakhon Pathom - Phra Patham Chedi
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Phra Pathom Chedi, "holiest and first among chedis", stands in the center of the city and, at 118 m (387 ft), or 127 m (417 ft) including the terraces, is the tallest Buddhist monument in the world, taller even than the famous Shwe Dagon, the Golden Pagoda in Rangoon (Myanmar; 99 m (326 ft), completed in 1773).
A figure in the wiharn on the north side of the precinct is supposed to be of King Phya Kong, who played a part in the legend surrounding the origin of the chedi. When an astrologer told him that one day his son would kill him he had his son put out into the forest where he was found by a woman who brought him up. As a young man the son, called Phya Pan, entered the service of the King of Ratchaburi, who was a vassal of the king of the neighboring kingdom Nakhon Chaisi. Phya Pan's great wisdom and prudence brought him to the attention of the king, who adopted him. Phya Pan persuaded him to wage war against his feudal lord and during the ensuing battle killed his own father.
A figure in the wiharn on the north side of the precinct is supposed to be of King Phya Kong, who played a part in the legend surrounding the origin of the chedi. When an astrologer told him that one day his son would kill him he had his son put out into the forest where he was found by a woman who brought him up. As a young man the son, called Phya Pan, entered the service of the King of Ratchaburi, who was a vassal of the king of the neighboring kingdom Nakhon Chaisi. Phya Pan's great wisdom and prudence brought him to the attention of the king, who adopted him. Phya Pan persuaded him to wage war against his feudal lord and during the ensuing battle killed his own father.
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