|
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit |
|
|
|
This chapel is located to the south of Wat Phra Si
Sanphet. A large bronze seated Buddha image (Phra Mongkhon Bophit) was
originally enshrined outside the Grand Palace to the east. It could be
dated to the 15th century and was originally intended to stand in the
open air. Later, King Songtham commanded it to be transferred to the
west, where it is currently enshrined and covered with a Mondop. In the
reign of Phra Chao Sua, the top of the Mondop was burnt down by a fire
due to a thunderbolt. The King then commanded that a new building be
built in the form of a big sanctuary (Maha Wihan) to cover the image in
lieu of the former Mondop. During the second fall of Ayutthaya, the
building and the image were badly destroyed by fire. The present Viharn
and Buddha image have been reconstructed and renovated. The open area
located east of the Viharn was formerly Sanam Luang, where royal
cremation ceremonies took place.
|