| WAT SASADA(วัดศาสดา) |
Wat Sasada is located on private property north of the main island. It was accessible
by a tributary canal of Maenam Pho Sam Ton, also known as Khlong Bang Khoat.
Locals now refer to this canal informally as Khlong Wat Tum, which is the closest
landmark.
A large bell shaped chedi still stands at this site. This is heavily covered in vegetative
growth. An enormous Bodhi tree engulfs a large portion from its tip all the way to the
foundation layer. A hole has been dug into its relic chamber by looters. There are
sections of headless Buddha images beside the chedi and a large number of scattered
bricks. A brick mound exists on private property near this site. This may have served as
a sermon hall at one point.
The history of this monastery is unknown. The style of chedi hints that it may have been
constructed during the middle Ayutthaya period. A number of battles were fought with
the Burmese in this area, and it is plausible that its construction is connected to this
warfare.
by a tributary canal of Maenam Pho Sam Ton, also known as Khlong Bang Khoat.
Locals now refer to this canal informally as Khlong Wat Tum, which is the closest
landmark.
A large bell shaped chedi still stands at this site. This is heavily covered in vegetative
growth. An enormous Bodhi tree engulfs a large portion from its tip all the way to the
foundation layer. A hole has been dug into its relic chamber by looters. There are
sections of headless Buddha images beside the chedi and a large number of scattered
bricks. A brick mound exists on private property near this site. This may have served as
a sermon hall at one point.
The history of this monastery is unknown. The style of chedi hints that it may have been
constructed during the middle Ayutthaya period. A number of battles were fought with
the Burmese in this area, and it is plausible that its construction is connected to this
warfare.
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| Text & photograph 1 by Ken May - April 2009 |
| (Click thumbnail for an aerial view) |
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Addendum
Wat Sasada or the “Monastery of the Holy Teacher” is situated off the city island in the
northern area of Ayutthaya in Wat Tum sub-district, Moo 3. The monastery features on a
1993 and a 2005 Fine Arts Department map. On the 1993 map it is named as Wat
Salada (วัดศาลดา).
Some remains of the temple were excavated by the Fine Arts Department (FAD) in Geo
Coord: +14° 23' 19.17" N, +100° 32' 22.56" E (based on 2005 map). In my opinion
this position is incorrect as a ruin was found - called by the locals Wat Sasada - in Geo
Coord +14° 23' 30.51" N, +100° 32' 18.22" E.
Wat Sasada stood north of Wat Tum and in between Wat Hong and Wat Luang. The
temple was situated within a loop of the old Lopburi River of which the southern part is at
present called Khlong Wat Tum. At a certain moment a short cut or "khlong lat" had
been dug to straighten the Lopburi River. The latter canal was called Khlong Bang Khoat
referring to the village Ban Bang Khoat in which vicinity the canal was dug.
Wat Sasada or the “Monastery of the Holy Teacher” is situated off the city island in the
northern area of Ayutthaya in Wat Tum sub-district, Moo 3. The monastery features on a
1993 and a 2005 Fine Arts Department map. On the 1993 map it is named as Wat
Salada (วัดศาลดา).
Some remains of the temple were excavated by the Fine Arts Department (FAD) in Geo
Coord: +14° 23' 19.17" N, +100° 32' 22.56" E (based on 2005 map). In my opinion
this position is incorrect as a ruin was found - called by the locals Wat Sasada - in Geo
Coord +14° 23' 30.51" N, +100° 32' 18.22" E.
Wat Sasada stood north of Wat Tum and in between Wat Hong and Wat Luang. The
temple was situated within a loop of the old Lopburi River of which the southern part is at
present called Khlong Wat Tum. At a certain moment a short cut or "khlong lat" had
been dug to straighten the Lopburi River. The latter canal was called Khlong Bang Khoat
referring to the village Ban Bang Khoat in which vicinity the canal was dug.
| Addendum, map & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg |
| (Extract of a 1993 Fine Arts Department map - Courtesy Khun Supot Prommanot, Director of the 3th Regional Office of Fine Arts) |
| (Brick mound in situ) |
| (Remains of a chedi) |
| (Remains of a chedi) |
| (Roots climbing up the structure) |
| (Remaining brick work) |