Phra Prathon Chedi

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Phra Prathon Chedi พระประโทณเจดีย์
Phra Prathon Chedi
General information
Architectural style	stupa
Town or city	Nakhon Pathom
Country	Thailand

Phra Prathon Chedi (Thai: พระประโทณเจดีย์, pronounced [pʰráʔ prā.tʰōːn t͡ɕēː.dīː]) is one of the oldest stupas in Thailand with the height of 50 metres (164 ft). The stupa is located in the Wat Phra Prathon Chedi Wora Viharn (Thai: วัดพระประโทณเจดีย์เจดีย์วรวิหาร), a temple in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, 3 km east of Phra Pathommachedi.

The name Phra Prathon Chedi means the holy stupa of Thona or Thanan (Thai: ทะนาน), name of an ancient measurement. According to legend after the cremation of Gautama Buddha, his relics were equally divided amongst 8 royal families and his disciples by using a golden Thona. This golden Thona eventually sent to ancient Nakhon Chai Si in Suvarnabhumi and kept inside a stone stupa in 590. King of Sri Lanka wanted the golden Thona, so he sent a prominent monk to ask the golden Thona from the King of Nakhon Chai Si. The king agreed in exchange of one Thona of holy relics of Buddha and built a new stupa to keep the holy relics, which is Phra Pathommachedi. In 656 King of Lavo ruled Nakhon Chai Si and rebuilt the stupa and named Phra Prathon Chedi.