Wat Yai Chaimongkhon
Location: U-thong Road, Pranakorn Sri ayutthaya District, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 daily
Admission fee: 20 baht per person
Reason to visit: Wat Yai Chaimongkhon is one of the must-see attractions in Ayutthaya, Thailand, which showcases Thailand's history, culture and Buddhist art, giving you a taste of the country's ancient charm and religious flavor.
Transportation: Wat Yai Chaimongkhon is located southeast of Ayutthaya Railway Station. You can take a minibus or a tuk-tuk from the station for about 5 minutes, and the fare is 20 baht per person.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon is a Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, and one of the best-preserved and oldest temples in the Ayutthaya site. It was built in the 14th century as a place of worship during the time of King Uthong, the first king of the Ayutthaya Dynasty, and was later remodeled to commemorate the defeat of the Burmese army by King Naresuan of the Ayutthaya Dynasty, hence the name of the temple, which means "Temple of the Great Victory and Auspiciousness". Famous for its towering stupa, huge reclining Buddha and numerous statues, Wat Yai Chaimongkhon is an important cultural heritage and tourist attraction in Ayutthaya.
The history of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon
The history of the temple dates back to 1357, when King U Thong, the first king of the Ayutthaya Dynasty, built a temple called Yai Chaimongkhon Temple in honor of monks who had returned from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). These monks had studied the teachings and precepts of Theravada Buddhism in Ceylon and were known as Yai Chaiya, hence the name of the temple.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon was originally a simple temple, with only a stupa and some Buddha images. Later, in 1592, King Naresuan, the 29th king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, achieved a great victory over the Burmese army, killing the Burmese prince in a legendary elephant combat. To commemorate this feat, King Naresuan ordered to enlarge Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, adding a 62-meter-high stupa and a 28-meter-long reclining Buddha. He also built a circle of Buddha statues around the temple, representing the number of his soldiers. These Buddha statues wear yellow robes, crowns, and bowls, creating a unique scenery.
The Temple suffered several damages and restorations throughout history, especially in 1767, when the Burmese army sacked Ayutthaya and burned many temples and Buddha images. Fortunately, the main buildings of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon were preserved, and the temple was later restored to its former glory through many renovations and reconstructions.
Highlights of the temple visiting: Stupa, Reclining Buddha, Numerous Buddha Statues
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon is a temple worth visiting all year round, but the best season is from November to February, when the weather is cooler and more suitable for sightseeing.
Stupa:
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon's stupa is the symbol of the temple, and the tallest building in Ayutthaya. It is 62 meters high, with a square base, an octagonal middle, and a conical top, showing a Sri Lankan style. The surface of the stupa is covered with white lime, making it stand out. There are four smaller stupas around the main stupa, representing the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism.
The interior of the stupa has a hollow space with four statues of Buddha facing in four directions. The four Buddha statues surround a patio with a small hole at the bottom of the patio, which is said to hold an urn and a place for people to make wishes. Visitors can climb up the steps of the stupa to enjoy a panoramic view of the temple, or walk around the lower part of the stupa to see its murals and reliefs and learn about the stories and history of Buddhism.
Reclining Buddha:
The Reclining Buddha at Wat Yai Chaimongkhon is the second largest outdoor reclining Buddha in Thailand, after the one at Wat Lokayasutharam. It measures 28 meters in length and 7 meters in height and is located in the southwest corner of the temple. It has a peaceful facial expression, eyes slightly closed, head resting on the right hand, right foot resting on the left foot, showing a posture of entering extinction. On the soles of the reclining Buddha's feet are 108 Buddha feet motifs, representing the 108 virtues of the Buddha. The reclining Buddha is surrounded by a circle of pillars with yellow cloth curtains hanging from them, adding a solemn atmosphere.
Next to the reclining Buddha there is a small pavilion with a copper basin in which visitors can pour water from the basin on the reclining Buddha's body to show their respect and prayers for the Buddha. There is a golden umbrella pillar at the head of the reclining Buddha, symbolizing the wisdom of the Buddha. There are many colorful silks around the reclining Buddha, which are the offerings of the believers, and it is said that being able to attach the coins to the soles of the reclining Buddha's feet signifies that one is destined to have a relationship with the Buddha, and that one's wishes will be easily fulfilled.
Buddha Statues:
The statues of Buddha at Yai Chaimongkhon Temple are another special feature of the temple, and they are numerous in number and in various shapes and sizes, spread throughout the temple. The most striking of them is the circle of white Buddha statues that surround the back of the main stupa, some large and some small, some standing, some seated in a platter, some holding bowls and some holding flowers, each with a different expression and posture. The colors and styles of these statues are different from the other statues at the temple, creating a stark contrast and displaying a unique beauty.