Khao Rup Chang Temple, Phichit
"Phichit City doesn't only have crocodiles, but also elephants."
"Wat Khao Rup Chang" is located in Dong Phakham Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phichit Province. It was built around 2244 - 2245 B.E. at the same time as Wat Pho Prathap Chang during the reign of Phra Si Sanphet VIII (King Suea or Khun Luang Sorasak) of Ayutthaya. The Samuha Nayok, who controlled the troops to build Wat Pho Prathap Chang according to the royal wish, found that the top of the mountain looked like an elephant. He thought that it was a suitable place to build a temple and a place to stay on high ground to inspect the terrain and ensure the safety of the troops. When the construction was complete, it was named "Wat Khao Rup Chang" according to the white stones stacked like an elephant kneeling on the mountaintop. The architecture of the church, the chapel, Buddha images, prang, pagoda, and kuti are all in the Ayutthaya period, similar to Wat Pho Prathap Chang.
Later, around 2300 B.E., a pagoda was built to enshrine the relics on the top of the elephant-shaped mountain. During the reign of King Rama III of Rattanakosin, Prince Mongkut (King Rama IV) while ordained as a monk, he went on a pilgrimage through Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Sawankhalok and Uttaradit. He stopped by Wat Khao Rup Chang to join the celebration of the temple (Luang Pho Sakorn temple) on January 22-26, 1833. It can be said that the King was the founder of Wat Khao Rup Chang. The tradition of “applying gold leaf to worship the Buddha and climbing the mountain on the full moon day of the 3rd month” has been ongoing since then until the present. It starts from the 12th waxing moon to the 1st waning moon of the 3rd month, for 5 days and 5 nights. For over a hundred years, Wat Khao Rup Chang has been developed and developed gradually, starting from the time of Phra Thet Phra Khun Phra Khru Phiphitthamkhun (Luang Pho Tiang) to the time of Phra Khru Wiwek Thammaphirom or Luang Pho Theum until the present. #NortheasternTeam #WaitingForTheDayToTravel #MissingNature