| WAT POM RAMAN |
Wat Pom Raman or the “Monastery of the Mon Fortress” is an active monastery
located off the city island in the northern area at Tambon Wat Tum. It is situated on the
east bank of Khlong Hua Ro, the old Lopburi River in earlier times. Wat Klang Raman
lies in its vicinity.
In situ is an ordination hall (Th: ubosot) built in the Late Ayutthaya style, with two
porches in a northwest-southeast alignment. The roof is two-tiered and the ubosot has
three rectangular windows on the longest sides. The front porch has two entries, while
the roof is supported by four columns; the same for the porch at the rear. The hall is
surrounded by a wall (Th: Kamphaeng kaew or Crystal wall) and has two gates with a
pointed arch and colorful gable.
A sala with a large Buddha image has been recently built on the foundations of on old
monastic structure. There is also a kind of prasat-like building surrounded by a pool,
being a commemoration monument for the late Somdet Phra Phutthachan Tho Phrom
Rangsi (1788-1872). The revered monk who was patriarch in the reign of King
Mongkut - Rama IV and known for containing Mae Nak's spirit. (1)
Wat Pom Raman has the same historical background as Wat Klang Raman.
Data about its construction is unknown. The site is not indicated on Phraya Boran
Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926, as the temple is located at the outskirts of Muang
Ayutthaya.
Footnotes:
(1) The legend goes more or less as follows: Mae Nak lived in a small hut along Khlong
Phra Khanong near Wat Maha But in Bangkok with her husband Thit Mak. Her
husband was conscripted and had to go to war. Mae Nak, being pregnant, remained
behind. She died during childbirth, being alone at home. Her neighbors buried her in the
ground. Out of love for her husband, her spirit did not wanted to leave and waited his
return. Her husband came back home from war and they continued to live together. One
day her husband realized he was living with a ghost and he backed-off to the temple.
Mae Nak was furious, pursued her husband and gave a bad time to the local community,
terrifying everybody. Somdet Phra Phutthachan Tho Phrom Rangsi could finally overtake
her and contain her spirit in the forehead bone of her skull and bound that piece of her
skull within his waistband. Wat Maha But is often called Wat Mae Nak Phra Khanong,
after the spirit house of Mae Nak located on the premises.
located off the city island in the northern area at Tambon Wat Tum. It is situated on the
east bank of Khlong Hua Ro, the old Lopburi River in earlier times. Wat Klang Raman
lies in its vicinity.
In situ is an ordination hall (Th: ubosot) built in the Late Ayutthaya style, with two
porches in a northwest-southeast alignment. The roof is two-tiered and the ubosot has
three rectangular windows on the longest sides. The front porch has two entries, while
the roof is supported by four columns; the same for the porch at the rear. The hall is
surrounded by a wall (Th: Kamphaeng kaew or Crystal wall) and has two gates with a
pointed arch and colorful gable.
A sala with a large Buddha image has been recently built on the foundations of on old
monastic structure. There is also a kind of prasat-like building surrounded by a pool,
being a commemoration monument for the late Somdet Phra Phutthachan Tho Phrom
Rangsi (1788-1872). The revered monk who was patriarch in the reign of King
Mongkut - Rama IV and known for containing Mae Nak's spirit. (1)
Wat Pom Raman has the same historical background as Wat Klang Raman.
Data about its construction is unknown. The site is not indicated on Phraya Boran
Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926, as the temple is located at the outskirts of Muang
Ayutthaya.
Footnotes:
(1) The legend goes more or less as follows: Mae Nak lived in a small hut along Khlong
Phra Khanong near Wat Maha But in Bangkok with her husband Thit Mak. Her
husband was conscripted and had to go to war. Mae Nak, being pregnant, remained
behind. She died during childbirth, being alone at home. Her neighbors buried her in the
ground. Out of love for her husband, her spirit did not wanted to leave and waited his
return. Her husband came back home from war and they continued to live together. One
day her husband realized he was living with a ghost and he backed-off to the temple.
Mae Nak was furious, pursued her husband and gave a bad time to the local community,
terrifying everybody. Somdet Phra Phutthachan Tho Phrom Rangsi could finally overtake
her and contain her spirit in the forehead bone of her skull and bound that piece of her
skull within his waistband. Wat Maha But is often called Wat Mae Nak Phra Khanong,
after the spirit house of Mae Nak located on the premises.
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| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - December 2009 |
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| (Click button for aerial view) |