Wat Sri Sanphet,Ayutthya

Wat Phra Sri or Si Sanphet is one of the most beautiful in Ayutthya. Most of the structures around it have been destroyed but the three chedis still stand majestically.

view of the three chedis from the northeast end

Historical background:
In 1350, King U Thong, who also built the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon built the royal palace where the wat stands now. This had three wooden buildings. He made Ayutthya his capital and was bestowed with the title of Ramathibodhi I.

In 1448, King Borom Trailokanath who was the eighth king of Ayutthya period and one of the greatest kings credited to bringing a lot of reforms to Thai bureaucracy, built a new royal palace and converted the existing one into a religious site to be used solely by kings or royalty. No monks resided there. They were invited only on special occassions.

Chaiyachettha, later known as Ramathibodhi II, son of Borom Trailoknath, built two chedis in 1492 to enshrine the ashes of his father and his elder brother King Borommaracha III.

In 1530, King Borommaracha IV built the third chedi to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ramathibodhi II.

Special features of the chedis:

There are some features which are different and deviate from the normal chedi architecture during that time.

• The three chedis are identical and stand on a platform.
• They are built in Sukhothai style which was very deeply influenced by Sri Lankan bell shaped style of architecture.
• Each has a mondop on its east side. They probably had Buddha feet in them once but are just a empty mound now.

• The chedis have entrance at each of their four directions. If you look at the picture above, you would see porches jutting out on four sides. Each has a small replica of chedi on its top.

• A small Buddha image is placed in three side in the porches.
• There is a set of pillars above the harmika (square structure above the dome) supporting the pinnacle on top.
• Usually there is a gallery which surrounds the chedis which has images of Buddha facing the chedis but here, the images face outside, away from chedis.

In 1499, King Ramatibodhi II built a viharn called Viharn Luang meaning royal. The next year he ordered a huge image of Buddha to be built which took three years to finish. The 16 meter bonze image was gilded with 343 kgs of gold. It is said to be one of the most beautiful images in the world. The image was called Phra Si Sanphetdayan, meaning "Sacred majesty all seeing or knowing".

Over a period of years smaller chedis were made to house the ashes of royal family.

more chedis

an image of Buddha facing Viharn Luang

remains of viharn

a lone chedi

back view of chedis

Impressions showing the positions of images of Buddha.

Viharn Prasat Phra Narai

In mid 1600, King Narai built a viharn on the west side, in the opposite direction of Viharn Luang. It was named Prasat Phra Narai after the king,

dismembered images in front of a chedi

 ubosoth with sema stones still there

an image of Buddha faces the chedi

In 1767 Burma attacked Ayutthya, the place was ransacked. Buddha images in wats were dismembered. Viharn Luang was burnt thus melting the gold from the image of Buddha, Phra Si Sanpetdayan. Gold was looted and taken away leaving behind pieces of bronze.

In the late 18th century, King Rama I of Rattanakosin period enshrined the damaged image at Chedi Sampetdayan in Wat Pho in Bangkok.

Inspite of these instructions for visitors throughout, it is a shame that we do not protect the heritage of any country.

Taking a picture of themselves is more important!

Entrance ticket:

Since the wat is a part of Ayutthaya Historical Park, there is an entrance fee of 50 Baht

Timing:

0800 hours to 1700 hours

You might be interested in Wat Mahathat, Ayutthya where I proceed next.