Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet (Thai: วัดพระศรีสรรเพชญ์; "Temple of the Holy, Splendid Omniscient") was the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace in Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya until the city was completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767, during the Burmese–Siamese War.[1] It was the grandest[2] and most beautiful temple in the capital and it served as a model for Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
History
In 1350 U-thong, also known as King
In 1499 a
Another
In 1742, under King
In 1767, the Burmese conquered the capital of Ayutthaya and began the extensive destruction and looting of numerous temples and other buildings, including the Wat Phra Si Sanphet. They set the building on fire and melted the gold. Two Chedis were destroyed in the process, while the eastern Chedi was still standing.[4] All were restored by the Fine Arts Department in 1956.
Use
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the royal temple, it was exclusively used by members of the royal family.[3] When Wat Phra Si Sanphet was used for royal ceremonies, monks had to be invited since no monks lived there.
Attractions
In its final stage before its destruction the temple was an impressive structure. Additional facilities were located on a raised platform, the three Chedis, which are today the only buildings which have been restored. All other the foundations are still preserved.
The Chedi is built in the classic, Ceylonese design that is reminiscent of a bell. In every direction small chapels are recognized, which lead to steep stairs. The roofs of the chapels are in turn topped with a miniature Chedi. Each of the three Chedis is on the eastern side assigned a Mondop where Buddha's footsteps are believed to be.
The terrace of the Chedi with Mondop was surrounded by a cloister (Phra Rabieng), in each case a hall was built in the west and in the east, an arrangement as can be seen in many temples in the country today. The building in the West actually consisted of four individual viharn, which were arranged in a cross shape to a Mondop around. The building to the east was the viharn Luang, the biggest building of the temple. In it stood the statue of Phra Si Sanphet Phuttha, which gave the name to the temple.
Symmetrically around the viharn Luang were grouped four other halls. North was a viharn which was a bit smaller than the viharn Luang, yet large enough to accommodate the more than 10 m high statue of Phra Phuttha Lokanat. East front was the Phra Chom Thong Tinang Throne Hall.
Symmetrically, stood south of the viharn of Luang viharn Pa Le Lei, in which probably was a seated Buddha statue.
Around the entire complex there drew a high perimeter wall, four gates passages in the four directions offered access to the temple. Inside along the wall were alternately small Chedis and low pavilions (Sala). Of these small Chedis, some have remained to this day.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (วัดพระศรีสรรเพชญ์)". Bangkok Site. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ Thailand Travel Trivia | Where in the World?
- ^ a b "Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya, Thailand". Oriental Architecture. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "WAT PHRA SRI SANPHET". History of Ayutthaya. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Indo-Persian Influence on Late Ayutthaya". Thai Jo. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
External links
Geographic data related to Wat Phra Si Sanphet at OpenStreetMap