City Pillar Shrine

DESTINATION: City Pillar Shrine
THAI NAME: ศาลหลักเมือง จังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช
LOCATION: Amphoe Mueang in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
GPS: 8.430430, 99.962157

The shrine in Nakhon Si Thammarat houses the city pillar to promote the province’s prosperity according to traditional customs. It was inspired by the Srivijaya architectural style. The columns are made of valuable Ta Kien Thong wood (Malabar ironwood) from Nopphitam district. The faces of Jatukam Ramathep – the tutelary deity of the city – are engraved at the top.

The shrine complex consists of one main building encircled by four smaller ones. These minor pavilions signify the residential quarters of the four guardians of the world and enshrine four Mahayana Buddhist images. According to Thai folklore, when visiting a new city, it is recommended to pay homage to the city pillar and pray for protection. Nakhon Si Thammarat’s city pillar shrine is situated in Nai Muang sub district, Muang district.