Wat Mahathat (Yasothon)

Located on Wariratchadet Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, this temple has been a symbol of Yasothon since the city's inception. Interesting places within the temple include: - Phra Phuttha Butsayarat, or the "Dewdrop Emerald Buddha." This is a meditating Buddha statue in the Chiang Saen art style, made of clear glass, with a lap width of 1.9 inches. It is a treasured Buddha statue of Yasothon, graciously presented by King Nangklao (Rama III) to Phra Sunthon Ratchawong, the first governor of Yasothon. - Phra That Yasothon, or Phra That Anan, is situated in front of the Ubosot. It is one of the important ancient relics in the Northeast. The square-shaped chedi features a top that resembles Phra That Phanom. Inside the relic stupa are the ashes of Ananda. The construction was influenced by Lao art, popular in the late Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin periods, coinciding with a version of the city's and Wat Mahathat's history that states the stupa was built around 1778 CE by Thao Na, Thao Khamsing, and Thao Khampha, who were formerly old ministers of Krung Si Sattana Hanut (Vientiane). Later, people migrated under the leadership of Phra Wor and Phra Ta around 1770-1776 CE to settle here. The Phra That has a square base measuring 8.1 meters on each side, built with bricks and mortar. The base tapers like an inverted and regular lotus. Above it is the body of the stupa with niches on four sides, housing standing Buddha images. The top of the stupa has small spire-like decorations on all four sides, with a square central spire that tapers in two tiers. The construction style is similar to Phra That Kong Khao Noi. The temple holds an annual festival to celebrate Phra That Anan every March. - Hor Trai (Library Tower) is where the palm-leaf manuscripts of the temple are kept. It is located in the middle of a pond northeast of the Phra That. It is a rectangular building, typical of Northeastern Hor Trai style, with a walkway around it under the eaves. This area houses scripture cabinets, scripture chests, and palanquins for displaying scriptures, all brought from Vientiane. The archway and door panels are beautifully decorated with carved vine patterns, lacquered, and gilded. The wall decorations exhibit a mixed style, combining elements from the Central region. It is speculated that the Hor Trai was built during the reigns of King Mongkut (Rama IV) to King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).