Wat Mahathat is the largest and most important temple in the UNESCO World Heritage Sukhothai Historical Park. Built following the Mandala concept, an ancient Hindu cosmic symbol, it features a central chedi in the distinctive Sukhothai lotus-bud style surrounded by eight smaller chedis and two giant standing Buddha statues standing 9 meters tall. The temple was the spiritual and administrative center of the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom, located next to the Royal Palace.