Wat Thammikarat

Wat Thammikarat
Wat Thammikarat
วัดธรรมิกราช
Religion
Affiliation	Buddhism
Sect	Theravada
District	Ayutthaya
Province	Ayutthaya
Location
Location	Ayutthaya Historical Park
Country	Thailand

Wat Thammikarat (also Dhammikaraj) is temple ruin preserve as historical site on the city island near U-Thong Road, just outside the Ayutthaya Historic Park. The temple had undergone multiple restorations. Though many structures remain in ruins, new buildings have been added as it is now an active temple. Key features include a large, bell-shaped chedi with an octagonal base, surrounded by detailed lion figures (singh) made of brick and mortar with stucco decorations. This chedi also includes multi-headed Naga figures, and remnants of smaller monuments and spires are scattered around it.

History

Wat Thammikarat likely predates Ayutthaya's founding in 1351, linked to an older Khmer settlement named Ayodaya. Archaeological evidence suggests a pre-12th-century Dvaravati town existed near the site, with Khmer-style stone lions around the chedi and a Reclining Buddha head in U Thong Style. Northern Thai chronicles also mention that Phraya Thammikarat, son of King Sai Nam Phung, built the monastery, giving it its name.

In 1610, Somdet Phra Boromma Trailokkanat restored the place and had a large nine-room vihan, the 'Harn Song Dhamma', built for listening to sermon on Buddhist Sabbaths. The vihan once housed a bronze head of Buddha dating back to U-Thong period. The head was brought away by the Fine Arts Department and is now kept at Chao Sam Phraya Museum. In addition, there is a vihan of the reclining Buddha image, which was ordered to be built by the Queen following the fulfilled wish for the princess's recovery from illness. The reclining Buddha is 12 metre long, facing north. The toes are covered with gold leaf and pieces of mirror. The vihan is situated on the north side of the main chedi. The chedi has a bell shape and features an octagonal base encircled by 52 singha statues made from mortar, which is different from other chedi bases commonly encircled by elephant statues.

Tourism

The ubosot of the temple contains a purely white image of Buddha in subduing Mara position. The Buddha image is assumed to have been built in the early Rattanakosin period. How to get there Wat Dhammikaraj is located in front of the ancient palace on U-Thong Road. To get there, tourists can use the same direction as that of Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. The temple is recommended for those who are interested in pre-Ayutthaya art.

There are also horse carriages available in front of the temple. Wat Dhammikaraj is open daily from 8.30 am-4.30 pm.