Maha Sarakham is located in the heart of Isan, Thailand’s Northeast Region. With lots of educational institutes, the province is a significant educational center in the region, earning it the nickname “Taxila of Isan” (Taxila was an ancient learning center in India). Maha Sarakham is also the Buddhist center of Isan, as many Buddhist archeological artifacts were found here, including a Relic of Lord Buddha in Amphoe Na Dun. Such evidence leads to the theory that the site was once the location of an ancient kingdom dating back over 1,500 years. A pagoda was built in Maha Sarakham to mark the glory days of Buddhism and to serve as venue for important Buddhist rites in the region.