This temple is well known from the principal Buddha statue that is called Luang Pho To (หลวงพ่อโต), one of the most revered Buddha statues in Thailand. According to folklore, it was first sighted floating in the Khlong Samrong canal by one of three brothers who were escaping the war with the Burmese during the Ayutthaya period. While some folklore says it floated along the tides, along with four other Buddha statues or two statues, all of which are sacred Buddha statues in the central basin (Luang Pho Sothon (หลวงพ่อโสธร) of Wat Sothonwararam in Chachoengsao, Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing (หลวงพ่อวัดไร่ขิง) of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom, Luang Pho Ban Laem (หลวงพ่อบ้านแหลม) of Wat Ban Laem in Samut Songkram, and Luang Pho Thong (หลวงพ่อทอง) or Luang Pho Wat Khao Takrao (หลวงพ่อวัดเขาตะเครา) of Wat Khao Takrao in Phetchaburi).
