History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT KHAO DIN 2 (วัดเขาดิน)

This temple is located far away from the city island in the southeastern section of the city.
Its closest landmark is the Asian Highway (#32), but this temple can also be located via a
shortcut from Grand Street. Wat Khao Din is situated on the eastern side of the Asian
Highway. The sparsely populated district where it is located is named after
this monastery. Wat Khao Din marks the easternmost perimeter of this website’s research.

Wat Khao Din is an active countryside temple that appears on the 1993 Fine Arts
Department map. It was built on the site of an earlier monastery from the Ayutthaya period.
It should not be confused with another temper under the same name near Wat Samana
K ottharam. There is nothing visible above the ground at the second eastern monastery
known as “Wat K h ao Din”. In contrast, the Wat Kao Din by the Asian Highway has a
thriving community of Buddhist monks. Therefore, it also has the usual structures needed to
provide clerical services (monks’quarter, sermon hall, bell tower crematorium, etc.).

The most outstanding feature of Wat Kao Din is its ordination hall. This building was
constructed directly on top of the previous ubosot, creating a highly upraised mound. The
basic foundation walls of the older structure are easy to view. Various layers are
visible on every side of the new ordination hall. This includes portions of ancient
staircases and some debris from old Buddha images. It was probably easier to build a new
structure on the previous site than to restore the old one. The new ordination hall has
high walls and elaborately defined porticos. The capitals of its pillars are crowned with
swan-like Hansa, and its sema stones are sheltered inside of their individual pedestals.
The new ordination hall reflects the style of the Bangkok period.

There are also many Buddha images scattered outdoors in increments at the base of the
ordination hall. These appear in various styles and poses. Some of the old staircases are
adorned with Bangkok-period Naga serpents with mirrored-tiles. The chedi in situ are
recent constructions.

There is an old canal behind Wat Kao Din, which ultimately leads to Wat Krasang and
K h long Hantra (the old Pa Sak River). This canal probably connected rice farmers to the
ancient city so that they could conduct trade. The canal has been covered due to the
construction of the Asian highway. It has formed ponds at the monastery as a result.

The history of this temple remains a mystery at this point. Its countryside location
suggests that it was used by commoners who were mostly likely engaged in rice
cultivation. The exact date of its establishment is unknown.