| WAT KHAO SAN DAM (วัดข้าวสารดำ) |
Wat Khaosan Dam or the "Monastery of the Black Milled Rice" was located off the
city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya in Hua Ro sub-district.
The monastery is at present located on a small island called Ko Loi (floating island), that
was created by the digging of Khlong Chong Lom and the extension and dredging of
Khlong Sai (becoming the Pa Sak River) in the early 20th century.
The monastery features on a 1974, 1993 and 2005 Fine Arts Department map. The
ruins of Wat Khao San Dam can be found north of the the campus of the present
Ayutthaya Ship Building Industrial and Technology College (Boat School) on which
premises are the remains of Wat Inthawat. Wat Jampa stood northeast, nearly opposite
of Wat Khao San Dam, while the bell tower of Wat Saphan Kluea stands still visible on
its west along the former Front city canal.
In situ is a brick mound with a small vihara built on top, featuring the Buddha in sitting
position and bhumisparsa hand gesture or mudra (Buddha calls the Earth to witness his
enlightenment) and his two main male disciples Mogallana and Sariputta. Scraping the
brick mound, black rice grains can be found.
Some remains of the temple were excavated by the Fine Arts Department (FAD) in Geo
Coord: +14° 22' 1.86" N, +100° 34' 42.22" E (based on 2005 map).
Its historical background and period of construction are unknown.
city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya in Hua Ro sub-district.
The monastery is at present located on a small island called Ko Loi (floating island), that
was created by the digging of Khlong Chong Lom and the extension and dredging of
Khlong Sai (becoming the Pa Sak River) in the early 20th century.
The monastery features on a 1974, 1993 and 2005 Fine Arts Department map. The
ruins of Wat Khao San Dam can be found north of the the campus of the present
Ayutthaya Ship Building Industrial and Technology College (Boat School) on which
premises are the remains of Wat Inthawat. Wat Jampa stood northeast, nearly opposite
of Wat Khao San Dam, while the bell tower of Wat Saphan Kluea stands still visible on
its west along the former Front city canal.
In situ is a brick mound with a small vihara built on top, featuring the Buddha in sitting
position and bhumisparsa hand gesture or mudra (Buddha calls the Earth to witness his
enlightenment) and his two main male disciples Mogallana and Sariputta. Scraping the
brick mound, black rice grains can be found.
Some remains of the temple were excavated by the Fine Arts Department (FAD) in Geo
Coord: +14° 22' 1.86" N, +100° 34' 42.22" E (based on 2005 map).
Its historical background and period of construction are unknown.
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| Text, map & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - March 2009 Reviewed August 2011 |
| (View of the brick mound) |
| (Buddha image in situ) |
| (View of the location) |
| (View of the location) |
| (Old black milled rice) |
| (Extract of a 1974 Fine Arts Department map - Courtesy Dr. Surat Lertlum, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy) |
| (Extract of a 1993 Fine Arts Department map - Courtesy Khun Supot Prommanot, Director of the 3th Regional Office of Fine Arts) |
