Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Ayuttaya

source: google images

Ayutthaya’s History is sacred and ancient, it was not only considered important to Thailand and her people; but also regarded as a vital piece of world culture as well. To the Thai people, the city is the spiritual heart of their nation and home to the kingdoms greatest treasures.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkon is considered one of the most important temples in Ayutthaya and is located off the city island in the southeastern area, in present Bhai Ling Sub-district. It is an important site in Thai Buddhism because it was the monastery of monks who had travelled to Ceylon (present Sri Lanka) to study. It is also known as the ‘Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory’ and is visited by tourists and local worshippers.

History

• This temple was repeatedly involved in the history of Ayutthaya. As different temples were subsequently built here which bears a number of different names.

• When Ayutthaya was established as the capital of Siam in 1350, King U-Thong proclaiming the site as the royal temple and it was known as Wat Chao Phraya Thai.

• In the 1592 the battle of Nong Sarai took place, one of the many battles between Ayutthaya and the Burmese. This temple was built to commemorate the victory over the Burmese, as King Naresuan victoriously defeated the Burmese Crown Prince Minchit Sra in one to one battle on a war elephant.

• Durning the Burmese invasion of 1767 the temple was looted and largely destroyed, and subsequently left abandoned.

• It wasn’t until 1950’s that a monastery was reestablished on the site. From then on there has been major restoration work. 

Architecture

• The main bell-shaped Chedi, is one of the distinctive feature. As visitors can climb the steps that lead up to the platform for views over the temple complex. 

• A rectangular gallery surrounds the Chedi and is lined with rows of famous buddha images in the Sukhothai style, built around 1357 by King U-Thong. But most of the stone Buddha images had to be restored and so they are relatively modern. They are draped in yellow cloth, seated on pedestals in subduing Mara mudra. 

• In the North East corner are the remains of a viharn enshrining a very large Reclining Buddha image. The original statue was constructed during the reign of King Naresuan, but the statue we see today is a replica, that was made in the 1960’s.

• A yellow cloth is draped around the huge image that faces East towards the rising sun. The images feet are covered with gold leaf applied by devotees. 

• The Ordination hall was built in the late 1970’s on the original site. Parts of the old structure are still visible and the hall is home to the Phra Phuttha Bhaiya Monkhon statue. It is one of the most sacred Buddha images in Ayutthaya.

• King Naresuan monument is an area filled with thousands of statues of roosters and fighting cocks, it is to honour the kings fighting spirit and bravery. King Naresuan was said to have owned fighting cocks which were famed for their strength and courage. 

Source

• https://www.thaizer.com/tourist-attractions/wat-yai-chai-mongkhon-ayutthaya/

• https://www.renown-travel.com/historicalsites/ayutthaya/wat-yai-chai-mongkhon.html

• https://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_YaiChaiMongkhon.html

• https://www.tatnews.org/2016/10/find-out-why-ayutthaya-is-considered-the-historical-heart-of-thailand/