Wat Maha Wanaram is better known as Wat Phra Yai (or Wat Pha Yai, meaning "Temple of the Great Buddha"). The golden seated Buddha statue, Phra Chao Yai In Paeng, housed within the temple, is truly large and beautiful. According to an inscription found there, it dates back to 1807. Built in the Laotian style, it is arguably the most beautiful Buddha statue in Ubon Ratchathani. The temple itself, though still relatively new and unfinished, boasts remarkable and unusual architecture with flat roofs. The decorations are particularly noteworthy, including the large relief on the rear of the building. A ceremony honoring the temple's Buddha is held every full moon day in April.

The temple has several entrances, so you can take songthaews 1, 3, and 8 to Wat Maha Wanaram. Songthaews 2 and 6 will drop you off near the temple.

Wat Maha Wanaram is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do I get to Wat Maha Wanaram? The temple has several entrances. You can reach Wat Maha Wanaram using songthaews 1, 3, and 8. Songthaews 2 and 6 will drop you off near the temple.