Wat Phanan Choeng of Ayutthaya Historical Park
From the ruins of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon we wandered on to Wat Phanan Choeng.
Wat Phanan Choeng of Ayutthaya Historical Park has a more modern look. Exteriors of the temple complex has a concrete touch up. But the truth, which I found so hard to believe was that it belonged to 14th century. And it is impossible to believe that the Wat houses a 19 m tall gilded image of Lord Buddha!
Ayutthaya Historical Park requires at least two to three days of stay there if you intend to visit and explore each of the Wats.
19m Tall Gilded Buddha in Wat Phanan Choeng
It was crowded inside and it took a while to realize that the ritual of merit transfer was in progress. Inside there is a 14 m wide and 19 m tall image of seated Buddha. It is made of mortar, primed with black lacquer and covered with gold leaf. The image was built in 1344.
However its present form was attained after many repairs. The last repair was done by Royal Institute in 1929 after the face started developing cracks.
Thais call this highly revered Buddha statue by the name: Luang Pho Tho and Thai Chinese call it Sam Pao Kong. The statue is believed to be the guardian for mariners. There is a legend that the idol shed tears just before the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese in the Burmese – Siamese War in 1767.
Ritual of Merit Transfer in Wat Phanan Choeng
Standing at the base, my jaw dropped wide open seeing the glitter of this majestic huge image. There were men standing in the palm of the statue like Lilliputians. I was lucky to be there then to witness the ritual of merit transfer.
Men standing up there were wrapping the statue with saffron robes; there was one man at the shoulder too. The robe was then used to cover the devotees and worshipers sitting down below. One of the priests there was chanting hymns and prayers.
After the completion of the ritual, the robes were pulled away gently, folded and kept away for the next session.
Wat Phanan Choeng Ritual of Merit Transfer.
Robe covering the devotees – Ritual of Merit Transfer.
Robe folded up after the ritual of merit transfer.
If ever you visit this Wat and you find a huge crowd, wait patiently, watch the ritual, it is worth it. I found it the most active temple complex of Ayutthaya, with many devotees inside. It is a popular pilgrimage destination for weekenders from Bangkok.
Wat Phanan Choeng Interior
As I walked around, I saw many many more Buddha images of all sizes. The picture below is of the wall just behind the image which had around 84,000 niches. Each of them housed small idols of Buddha. Devotees make offerings, donations, place their idol of Buddha in the niches and pray for good luck.
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- Wall painting in the interiors of Wat Phanan Choeng.
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- 84000 niches in wall panel of Wat Phanan Choeng Ayutthaya.
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- Candles lit inside.
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- Exteriors of Wat Phanan Choeng.
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- Several images of monks.
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- Several idolas of Buddha inside.
Tips to Visit Wat Phanan Choeng
- There are 3 very old Buddha images seated in Mara or Calling the Earth to witness posture on a raised pedestal inside ubosot or ordination hall. The central one measuring over 2½ meters tall is gilded. The ubosot’s walls are adorned with murals.
- Outside there was a small Chinese shrine made in honor of a Chinese princess who died, rather killed herself, because her husband the King of Ayutthaya did not go personally to receive her.
- You can buy a bag of fish from the vendors there and release it in the river flowing just beside the Wat. It is supposed to bring in luck.
- Week day visits are more relaxed. The temple is crowded in weekends.
- Check timing for ritual of merit transfer before your visit and time accordingly if you wish to experience one.
Opening Time and Tickets
Opening Time: 8am to 5pm.
Tickets cost 20bahts. You can take a combined pass for all Wats in Ayutthaya Historical Park too.
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Nice to know about this interesting park. Nice post, Indrani.
Wonderful description that gives the feel of having visited the place.
The wrap function is similar to honouring dignitaries in big Temples like Tirupati with Sesha Vastram worn by the Lord.
The similarity with Hindu temples is striking
I am going back to Bangkok for a second trip and was wondering what to do – your last few posts made it very clear. I will be visiting Ayuthaya. It sounds like a fascinating place.
Great post and I will follow your advice and watch the ritual.
Very useful info. I liked the colours in the last photograph.
Very beautiful indeed!
Panan Choeng doesn't look 14th century, does it?
Once I asked my Thai ex to translate the chants and to my surprise he said he could't because neither he understood it. I searched and found that most chants by monks have a mix of Pali and other ancient languages in them.
Hi Indrani! This is an awesome Wat. Lovely shots!!
There is a weird bridge waiting for you at Blogtrotter. Enjoy and have a great weekend!!
Good blog, specially about vultures, i like it.
Lovely! I am really enjoying your Thailand series.
The roof makes me think of dragon heads.
Name That Christmas Song
Like every time this time also NICE pic,with the blog.
Magnificent Buddha! You've covered the Wat series well, full of great info.
You went to Thailand! I love visiting the Wats there too. You took some very good shots of the temples and captured the peace and tranquility of the place.
That sure is a giant statue! Very beautiful, and the saffron color makes it glow!
Beautiful description and I liked all the statues of Buddha.
I like your description of the dressing of saffron robe of the Buddha.
It is an amazing place and an interesting post. Great photos.
that's really an impressive place and the Buddha looks beautiful! Nice captures!
Very nice pictures of the ritual. The one with the 'lilliputians' is straight out of Gulliver's Travels.
Amazed by that picture of liliptan people crawling up the giant statue.Wow !
How interesting ! What a huge buddha statue and these niches, I have never seen that.
I always enjoy your stories and histories, and these images are just astonishing!
It was a wonderful trip …
thanks for let us see the beauty of Thailand,
so many buddhas and all decorated
in orange 🙂
Have a relaxing day…
(@^.^@)
wow! that was wonderful!!
But at least you had time to take lots of photos – luckily. That looks like a fascinating temple, so lively!
really beautiful… but the tiny Buddhas are just great!!!
beautiful
Fantastic photos of all the buddhas. Magnificenet and holy and amusing all at the same time.
It is the sheer magnitude of everything that makes you feel very tiny. And it has all been there for so many years before us……… makes you think.
You always post some interesting an educational posts with lovely images.
Many thanks for your kind comments on my blog. Much appreciated.
Nuts in May
Your photo shows how well they have maintained the Buddha all these years. The 84000 niches is quite interesting!
This post has brought me to another world of beauty and history.
Very informative. A great tour of the beautiful place, thanks for sharing.
a marvelous series
Wow, incredible place and what stunning photos. Really gorgeous.
Needless to say, superb fotos !!
The photo of the wall with many budha statues is special. just scroll up and down through that photo and u get an optical illusion that the wall is bulging outwards.
Beautiful.
The temple definitely does not look that old. The image of Buddha is truly magnificent.
A beautiful and interesting post. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome! very nice set of pictures along with info on each of those.. Thanks for all the info Indrani 🙂
Fantastic.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Indrani,
I've really enjoyed your Wat posts. Such beautiful places!
The statue of Buddha is absolutely amazing. I don't think I've seen such an impressive statue before. It's hard to believe that this complex is 700 years old!
Ah, Indrani! You always take us on the most interesting and magical trips with your beautiful photos! This one is truly amazing and so very colorful!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
The iconography captures a world in itself. Amazing.
What an amazing place. Your photographs and narrative provide a wonderful tour.
Nice Info…really huge Buddha statue..we are indeed like liliputians in the hand of god.