Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon

Wat Phra Chao Phya-thai, populary known as Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, is situated to the southeast of the city. The large chedi there can be seen from a great distance. This monastery was built by King U-Thong which exhumed the bodies of Chao Kaeo and Chao Thai who died of cholera, and cremated in 1357. The monastery was dedicated to the monks who had gone to study practical Buddhism in Ceylon. As the group gained the popularity, the King then appointed the head of the sect to become Somdet Phra Wannarat or the right supreme Patriarch. The temple was finally rebuilt in memorial of King Naresuan the Great for his victory over the Burmese. Considering its architectural design, experts believe the stupa was built even before Ayutthaya was founded. King Naresuan the Great had it restored and built some additions to commemorate his great victory in battle over the Burmese. He named it “Chai Mongkol” or “Auspicious Victory”. The main Chedi of the temple is 62.10 meters in height and was built with 28,144 tons of brick. Even though the location was prepared to bear a lot of weights, the pressure from the Chedi was enormous and it pushed away underground water until the ground underneath the Chedi became hollow. As time passed, the Chedi started to sink as seen at present. Initially, this monastery was constructed by King U – thong in 1900 B.E. to accommodate the monks that once were ordained from Phra Wanratana Mahathera Bureau in Ceylon. This denomination is called The Pakaew Group. Thereby this monastery was named “Wat Pakaew”. Many people because followes of this donomination and there were many monks ordered in the order so that Pakaws Group quickly because propous during this period. Later on many people were faithful in this domination. Many of them were ordained the monks of this domination so that Pakaew Group became prosperous rapidly during that time. Phia Rachathibodi then appointed the director of this sect as the right – sided patriarch named “Phra Wanratana” while “Phra Putthakosajam,” held the position of the left – sided patriarch. Since the patriarch stayed here, this monastery was named Wat Chao Phayatai. The ubosot of this monastery was the place where King Tianracha had prayed for the throne before he could beat Khun Woiawongsathiraj, another candidate for the throne. In 2135 B.E. in the reign of King Naraesuan the Great, Phra Maha Uparacha of Burma marched his army to Ayutthaya in order to take control over the Thai Kingdom. King Naresuan then marched his army to combat the invader. They met at Nong Sarai. Supan Buri district. King Naraesuan had a fight on elephant back with Phra Maha Uparacha. King Naresuan was able to kill his rival but he could not destroy the enemies army because his soldiers were further behind. King Naraesuan was full of rale when he came back to Ayutthaya and wanted the commanders to be executed because they were unable to follow him. However, Phra Wanratana of Wat Pa Kaew asked him for the death penalty and suggested him to build a Chedi to celebrate the victory instead. King Naraesuan the Great then decided to construct a large Chedi in this monastery named Phra Chedi Chaimongkhon. This monastery became Wat Yai Chaimongkhon later on

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