Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet at Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is situated on the city island in Ayutthaya’s World Heritage Park in Pratu Chai sub-district. It has been registered as a national historic site by the Fine Arts Department since 5 March 1935. This monastery was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and situated within the Royal Palace grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was situated on the promises of the royal palace which had been established in the reign of King Ramathibodi I (King U - Thong). In 1448 King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat dedicated the site of the palace to the construction of the temple. The important edifices in this temple are the three main stupas containing the ashes of King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat, King Boroma-Rachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II. It was a royal temple Kingdom of Ayutthaya, used for such important royal ceremonies as swearing allegiance and it also served as the royal family's private chapel and the place where the royal family's ashes were preserved. No monks resided here though they were occasionally invited for particular rites.

In 1499, a principle viharn was built. The following year, in 1500 A.D.,King Ramathibodi II commanded the casting of a standing Buddha
image16 meters high and covered with gold. This image, Phra
Buddha Chao Si Sanphet was the main object of veneration in the 
royal viranra (hall of worship). After that time the ashes of members
of the royal family other than the kings were placed in small chedis
constructed at the site. Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the royal chapel and as such did not have a Sangavasa (no monks dwelt there). It was used for royal ceremonies.

When Ayutthaya was sacked in 1767 A.D. the gold which covered
was taken by the invaders. During his reign King Rama I (1782 -
1809 A.D.) of the Ratanakosin Period ordered the transfer of the
inner core of Phra Buddha Chao Si Sanphet from Ayutthaya to Wat
Phra Chetuphon in Bangkok, and had it placed in a chedi specially
built for the purpose. Another Buddha image of importance called
Phralokanat was also brought to this wat at about the same time.

Location: Sri Sanphet Rd. 8AM-6PM, daily, Admission: 30 baht