History of Nakhon Chaiyabovorn Museum
Nakhon Chaiyabovorn Museum was established in 1982. The museum is housed in a two-story pavilion and displays a large collection of historical artifacts and ancient objects. The museum was founded through the efforts of Phra Khru Phibun Dhammavet (Luang Pho Pruang), who was the abbot of Wat Hiranyaram at that time. Together with local villagers, he collected more than 2,000 artifacts discovered in Ban Noi Subdistrict and Bang Khlan Subdistrict, Pho Thale District, Phichit Province. These areas were once the location of the ancient city of Nakhon Chaiyabovorn, which flourished between approximately B.E. 1400 and 1600, before the establishment of Phichit. According to local history, the city was ruled by Phraya Khotrabong Thewarat (Khot-tra-bong) during the period when the Khmer Empire was at the height of its influence.
The ground floor displays historical and archaeological artifacts dating from the prehistoric period to the Rattanakosin era. Highlights include prehistoric clay spinning tools and textile printing tools, Sukhothai-period pottery, four-handled, two-handled, and one-handled storage jars from the Sukhothai period. Some of these jars were discovered underwater and still have barnacles attached to their surfaces. The collection also includes Benjarong porcelain from the reign of King Rama I.
The museum also houses Buddha images, Luang Pho Ngern Buddhajoti’s traditional medical manuscripts written on khoi paper, sacred amulets, and various forms of historical currency.
On the second floor is Phra Buddha Hiran Mara Wichai, also known as Luang Pho Thong, the principal Buddha image from the temple’s former ordination hall. This Buddha image, depicted in the Maravijaya (Subduing Mara) posture, was created during the late Ayutthaya period. The second floor also enshrines a life-sized statue of Luang Pho Ngern Buddhajoti, created in 1910, nine years before his passing. Visitors can also see Luang Pho Ngern’s relics and 16 elephant tusks, all of which have been officially registered with Thailand’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
The Statue of Luang Pho Ngern Was Created During His Lifetime (Caption beneath the photo)
The Miracle of the Luang Pho Ngern Statue at Wat Bang Khlan
The statue of Luang Pho Ngern at Wat Bang Khlan was created while Luang Pho Ngern was still alive. It was cast in 1910, nine years before his passing. According to local accounts, many extraordinary events took place during its creation. The craftsmen responsible for casting the statue came from Bangkok. They agreed on a fee of 80 baht for each casting attempt. After asking Luang Pho Ngern for permission, they received his approval and began making the statue. The first casting cost 80 baht, but it failed because the metal could not be successfully cast. The second attempt also failed, consuming another 80 baht. By the third attempt, the craftsmen had nearly run out of money. They returned to ask Luang Pho Ngern for permission to change their plan. Instead of casting only one large statue, they requested permission to cast several smaller ones as well. Luang Pho Ngern agreed, and they began the third attempt. However, while melting the brass, no matter how much heat they applied, the metal would not melt. As a result, they could not pour it into the mold. The craftsmen therefore returned to seek Luang Pho Ngern’s advice. Luang Pho Ngern then came to the casting site. He gently waved his robe over the furnace, and according to local tradition, the fire suddenly burned much stronger. The brass finally melted, allowing the craftsmen to cast the statue successfully. After the casting was completed, the craftsmen tried to put out the fire, but no matter what they did, the flames would not go out. They returned to inform Luang Pho Ngern. He removed his robe and threw it into the fire. According to the story, the flames went out immediately. Even more remarkably, his robe was completely untouched by the fire!!?
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