Wat Phra Mahathat is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Formerly named Wat Phra Borom That, this is one of the most important historical sites in southern Thailand and in all of Thailand. According to the legend, Prince Thanakuman and Queen Hem Chala brought relics of Buddha to Had Sai Keaw and built a small pagoda to mark the location. Later on, King Si Thamma Sokarat established the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and built a new pagoda. The present pagoda has a distinctive Sri Lankan style and is 55.78 metres tall, according to a measurement by the Fine Arts Department during its renovation in 1995. Wat Phra Mahathat is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand. The full name of the temple is Wat Phra Mahathat Woramaha Viharn. It is one of only six primary royal temples. The exact dates and order of construction are unclear although it is known that the Phra Borom That Chedi at the centre of the temple predates the rest of the buildings by as much as six hundred years.The chedi (pagoda) sits in a large cloister-like courtyard filled with a forest of 158 smaller pagodas. The smaller monuments are in a variety of styles and appear to be funerary reliquaries built by the faithful over hundreds of years. The base of the pagoda is encircled on three sides by a covered gallery. Niches in the base of the chedi hold Buddha statues as well as statues of guardian elephants. Another row of statues in various styles line the spaces between the columns of the gallery.On the north side of the chedi, which is sited off-centre in its courtyard, a sequence of chapels extends out to the north side of the courtyard. The first chapel actually houses the stairway which takes you up to the platform at the base of the pagoda. The stairs are guarded by many demons and a standing Buddha. Next to the chapel covering the stairs is another chapel which now houses the temple museum. On display are hundreds of artifacts from the temple’s long history, although very few of the items are labeled. Another chapel next to the museum houses a reclining Buddha and more exhibits. South of the pagoda courtyard is the monumental ubosot (ordination hall) of the temple. Built in 1628, the hall is an Ayutthaya style masterpiece. South of the ubosot is a small market full of souvenir stalls where you can buy shadow puppets, basketry and items of brass, bronze and silver. And there are also a few food stalls where you can get a bite to eat.