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Cover
story
: 25 Dec
04
Vol. 21 No. 18
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Paying
Homage |
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to
Nine Temples
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in
Ayutthaya
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By
Ubasika / Photos by In Chan
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The first of January is drawing near. This is an
excellent opportunity for Buddhists in Thailand
to make merit as an auspicious way to begin the
New Year. If there is a chance, most of them prefer
to visit nine temples within a day. The reason for
choosing "nine" is this: Thais pronounce
the number "9" à¡éÒ
as "kao" which is a homophone of
the word ¡éÒÇ "kao"
which means to step and to progress. Thus, they
believe that the worship they show to the Buddha
at nine sacred temples will bring prosperity to
their lives.
This year, Thaiways would like to invite you to
pay homage to nine temples in Ayutthaya by taking
advantage of the project Ayutthaya's Great
Blessings: Paying Homage to Nine Temples
launched by the provincial administration in cooperation
with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The locations
of the temples are close to each other. This enhances
the possibility of going to nine temples within
one day. Apart from having a chance to make great
merit, worshippers will also get opportunities to
appreciate Thai cultural heritage that cannot be
valued.
If you would like more, there are 24 other temples
under the project to choose from. The list and details
of the temples are printed in a tiny booklet, on
each page of which, the emblem of a temple will
be stamped when you pay a visit to it.
The booklet can be obtained free of charge at: the
Ayutthaya Tourist Centre (old provincial administration's
building), the Information Counter of Ayutthaya
Park Department Store (1st floor), and at hotels
and restaurants showing the poster of the project.
After you complete paying homage to any nine temples
in the project, you will have the right to get an
amulet in the shape of a bronze medal, and if you
complete visiting all 33 temples, you will receive
a gold medal and be entitled to winning the biggest
prize from TAT in a lucky draw.
1. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Great blessings: Victory over enemies,
forgiveness and being the beloved
Located in the Southeast of the Ayutthaya Muang
Island, the temple was established in 1357 AD in
the reign of King U-thong (1350-1369). The Great
Chedi Chai Mongkhon, a token of King Naresuan's
victory over the Crown Prince of Burma in the duel
on elephant back, was erected later in the reign
of King Naresuan (1590-1605) at the same time of
the temple renovation. Phra Phuttha Chaiya Mongkhon
in the ordination hall is one of the most sacred
Buddha images in Ayutthaya. |
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Wat Yai Chai
Mongkhon
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2.
Wat Phanan Choeng
Great blessings: Smooth-running business,
prosperity in one's job
This is a Mahayana temple situated to the Southeast
of the Ayutthaya Muang Island. It is presumed to
be built before the establishment of the Ayutthaya
kingdom. The huge maravijaya* Buddha image
(height 19 m./width 20.17 m) in the ordination hall,
Luang Pho To (the big Buddha) or Sampokong,
is greatly revered not only by the Thais and the
Chinese-Thais but also by the Chinese from abroad.
This is because most worshippers have found that
their business and trading have become prosperous
after paying homage to Luang Pho To. |
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Luang Pho To, Wat Phanan Choeng
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*Maravijava (conquering mara) posture is a sitting
position with legs crossed, the left hand on the
lap and the right hand on the right knee with fingers
pointing down to the ground.
3. The Vihara of Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Great blessings: Prosperity in trade, success
in one's job
Situated in the south of Wat Phra Si Sanphet on
the Ayutthaya Muang Island, the monastery has no
monks residing. The principal bronze Buddha image,
Phra Mongkhon Bophit, is presumed to be built in
the reign of King Sanphet VIII or King Tiger (1703-0708).
In 1767, when Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese, the
vicinity of the monastery was set on fire to remove
the gold that gilded the stupas there. Phra Mongkhon
Bophit was burnt too. |
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The Vihara of Phra Mongkhon
Bophit
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right arm from the shoulder fell off. A few years
ago, the Fine Arts Department discovered lots of
small Buddha images inside the left chest. |
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bronze Buddha image, Phra Mongkhon Bophit of the
temple of the same name. |
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4.
Wat Thammikkarat
Great blessings: Being the beloved, good
health
Situated in the east of the site of ancient royal
palace, the temple has existed since the reign of
King Borom Trai Lokkanat (1448-1488). |
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A stupa at Wat Thammikkarat
reflecting the Khmer influence
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is a stupa encircled by lion figures, reflecting
the Khmer influence. Legend has it that Queen Ubon
Dhevi of this king asked the gods for the recovery
of her son. The prayer was granted. Thus, she erected
the reclining Buddha image with a length of 12 metres
there. Both soles were gilded with gold leaf and
decorated with stained glass. |
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Wat Kasattrathirat
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5.
Wat Phutthai Sawan
Great blessings: Being the beloved, invulnerability,
good health
The temple is located in the southern side of the
Chao Phraya River, opposite the Ayutthaya Muang
Island. It was established in the reign of King
U-thong (1350-1369). At that time, the vicinity
was called "wiang lek"and used
to be the palace of the king. |
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Wat Phutthai Sawan
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6.
Wat Kasattrathirat
Great blessings: Being the beloved, invulnerability,
prosperity in one's jobs
Located on the Chao Phraya riverside, to the west
of Ayutthaya Muang Island, this ancient temple was
renovated in the first reign of the Rattanakosin
Period (1782-1809). The double bai simas*
of the ordination hall were magnificently carved.
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*A bai sima is a heart-shaped stone placed outside
a temple to mark its boundary. Usually, there are
eight of them in eight directions. As for the royal
temples, there are sixteen of them.
7. Wat Tha Ka Rong
Great blessings: A great merit of worshipping
the triple gem of the Buddha
The temple is located near the Chao Phraya riverside
to the west of the Ayutthaya Muang Island. It was
built before Ayutthaya became capital. There is
no evidence telling who the founder was. The ancient
principal Buddha image in the ordination hall, Luang
Pho Rattana Mongkhon, is highly revered by the villagers.
8. Wat Na Phra Mane
Great blessings: Prosperity, being the beloved
Situated in the north of the Ayutthaya Muang Island,
it is the only temple in Ayutthaya that was not
destroyed during the siege of 1767, because it was
used as headquarters of the Burmese invaders. The
ordination hall has no windows like other temples
erected in the Ayutthaya period. Instead, it has
several small openings on the walls with carved
stone bars for ventilation. |
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The principal
Buddha image in full
royal regalia, Wat Na Phra Mane
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9.
Wat Nakhon Luang
Great blessings: Being the beloved, strong
health, safety from all weapons
Situated on the Pa Sak riverside in Amphoe Nakhon
Luang (20 km from the provincial town). In the Ayutthaya
period, the area was part of the royal route for
all kings who travelled to pay homage to Phra Phuttha
Bat (the Buddha's footprint) in Saraburi province.
In the same vicinity of the temple, Nakhon Luang
Palace which was used as royal residence for all
kings and royal families is situated. It is presumed
to be built in the reign of King Song Tham (1610-1628)
and was renovated in the reign of King Prasat Thong
(1629-1656). |
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If you have some more free days and are interested
in history, you are recommended to pay a visit to
other temples as well. Consult your travel agent
or advertisers in Thaiways for a personalised trip.
How to get to Ayutthaya
Travelling by private car is the most suitable way
to pay homage to these temples.
From Bangkok:
1. Use Highway 1 (Phahon Yothin Rd.,), after going
past Pratunam Phra-in, drive along Highway 32. Then
turn left and go along Highway 309 to reach Ayutthaya.
2. Use Bangkok-Nonthaburi-Pathum Thani route (Highway
306), when reaching an intersection at Pathum Thani
Bridge, turn onto Highway 347. After that, drive
along Highway 3309, going past Bangsai Folk Arts
& Crafts Centre, Bang Pa-in County and then
arrive at Ayutthaya Muang County.
• For more information about the rules to
redeem the souvenirs and the travel routes, please
contact Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Office:
Region 6, Tel: 0 3524 6076-7
• We in Thaiways are thankful to TAT Central
Office for giving us an opportunity to pay homage
to nine temples and providing us with useful information.
• Turn to page 85 to learn more about Ayutthaya
province. |
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