Phra Mae Ya

Lore & Background

The idol of Phra Mae Ya was discovered in a hillside shelter later named Tham Phra Mae Ya in Ban Wong Bo, Na Choeng Khiri subdistrict, Khiri Mat district, Sukhothai province. Local villagers first found and worshipped it. In 1915, Prince Damrong Rajanubhab documented the idol while researching Sukhothai history and hypothesized it was the Phra Khaphung Phi, the greatest spirit worshipped by King Ramkhamhaeng. Another source attributes the discovery to Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath in February 1912. The idol was initially enshrined at the hillside site (now Wat Tham Phra Mae Ya) until 1917, when the mayor of Sukhothai relocated it to the Sukhothai Provincial Hall's museum. It was later moved to Sawankhalok (then a district of Sukhothai province) from 1939 to 1953, before being returned to Sukhothai and finally enshrined at its present location in 1953. The current shrine building was rebuilt from 1994 to 1998, with the idol re-enshrined on January 6, 1998.

Reader's Guide

Phra Mae Ya holds significance as a central figure in Sukhothai's local religious identity, blending Tai folk beliefs with historical and legendary associations. The idol's ambiguous origins—whether representing a historical queen mother, a supreme spirit from the Ramkhamhaeng inscription, or a Hindu deity—reflect the syncretic nature of Thai spirituality. The annual Phra Mae Ya Fair, held for ten days and nights in February or March, is tied to rain-making traditions: during the Thai New Year's Maha Songkran, 'big rain falls every time the idol is out for a public procession.' This connection to agriculture is further embodied by the Mae Ya mango plum, a fruit with a geographical indication for Sukhothai, whose first tree was grown from seeds bought at the fair. The idol's distinctive appearance—a tall, thin female with a four-tiered hair bun, chada headdress, breast chain, and curly-tipped shoes—has sparked scholarly debate, with some arguing its feminine features preclude a depiction of Narayana. Replicas of the idol are found at multiple sites in Sukhothai, including Wat Tham Phra Mae Ya, the Phra Mae Ya Botanic Garden, and Ramkhamhaeng National Park, underscoring its enduring local veneration.

Did You Know?

• The idol of Phra Mae Ya is made of slate and stands 52 inches (130 cm) tall including its base.
• The idol was first documented by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab in 1915, though another source credits Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath with its discovery in February 1912.
• The annual Phra Mae Ya Fair lasts for 10 days and 10 nights, held in February or March.
• The Mae Ya mango plum, a fruit with a geographical indication for Sukhothai, was first planted from seeds bought at the Phra Mae Ya fair.