AYUTTHAYA HISTORICAL RESEARCH



WAT JAKRAWAN





Wat Jakrawan (Chakrawan), also called Wat Chao Mon, is a restored ruin located off the city island in the eastern area of Ayutthaya, in the Hantra Sub-district. The former monastery is situated on the west bank of Khlong Ayothya (1). The temple can be reached by taking the northern road at Chedi Sam Plum, a landmark when entering Ayutthaya from the south. Wat Kudi Dao lies opposite it, while to the north stands Wat Ayodhya. On its west side is Wat Pradu Songtham.


The monastery derives its name from the Traiphum, the three-world system. The ancient Theravada tradition saw a flat world with Heaven above and Hell below, which changed at a later stage in a ten-thousand world vision. According to the Traiphum, the universe has been forever occupied by an infinite number of Chakrawans (groups of worlds), all exactly similar, and each embracing a world of men, with a series of heavens and hells. Each of these worlds (solar systems) depends on a central mountain named Phra Meru. Around Mount Meru are eight circular belts of oceans, divided from each other by seven annular mountains (Satta Boriphan). Outside of all is an eighth rim of mountains, called the "Crystal Walls of the World" or "Mount Chakrawan", the crystal annular mountain which encircles the system. [1]





(View of Wat Jakrawan from the south)



The area of Ayothya was probably already populated at the end of the Dvaravati era (6th to 11th centuries). There is some evidence that a community settled in this area much earlier than 1351 CE, the date of establishment of the city of Ayutthaya. Sources mention that during the reign of Suryavarman I (1002-1050 CE) of Angkor, the Khmers occupied the area and established a stronghold here as an appendage of Lopburi, naming it Ayothya after the ancient and one of the holiest Hindu cities of India, the old capital of Awadh, in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Phraya Boran Ratchathanin (1871-1936 CE), who was the Superintendent Commissioner of Monthon Ayutthaya from 1925 to 1929 CE but occupied important functions since 1896 CE in Monthon Ayutthaya, suggested in 1907 CE that "a pre-Ayudhyan city was situated immediately to the east of the location of Ayudhya," Prince Damrong Rajanubhap (1862-1943 CE), a prominent figure in Thai history known for his significant contributions in various fields including history, decided seven years later that a city called Ayothya "was founded by the Khmer who were ruling at Lopburi". The reason that they concluded that there must have been an earlier town before Ayutthaya was established in 1351 CE was probably the mentioning of its existence in records such as the Chronicles of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, the Chronicle of the Sihing Buddha Image, the Chronicle of the North, the Chronicle of Yonok, the Mulasasana and the Jinakalamali. Until today, hardly any archaeological research has been done to determine methodically that a pre-Ayutthaya city was situated immediately east of Ayutthaya.


In situ, we find an ordination hall (Th: ubosot) and its principal chedi.


The ubosot, a square building, measured 30 m in length by 16 m in width. Only its restored foundations remain visible. The structure had two entries in the front and two in the back. The main entrance faced east. Two rows of seven pillars supported the roof.


On its west side stands the principal chedi, 26 metres high. The chedi is bell-shaped and is positioned on a square base of 22 metres side. The harmika is octagonally oriented to the four cardinal and four inter-cardinal directions and surmounted by the traditional spire or multi-tiered umbrella. Around the principal chedi were another 16 smaller chedis. A remarkably smaller chedi, on an octagonal base, stands on the northeast corner. The upper part is broken, and it has an arched hole facing east. The slender bell-shaped dome is about 11.5 metres high. It was likely built before the construction of the main chedi. An inner wall measuring 55 metres by 35 metres surrounded the main chedi.


On the west side are the square foundations of a small pavilion or pagoda with sides of 10 metres.





(View of the foundations of the ordination hall of Wat Jakrawan)



The outer wall measured 105 metres by 50 metres, had entrances on all sides and surrounded the whole complex. Today, we have only a moat on the north, west and south sides, but I presume that during the Ayutthaya era, the eastern moat was defined by Khlong Ayothya.


Following excavations conducted by the Fine Arts Department in 1999 - 2000 CE, the monastery has been restored three times and probably dates from before the establishment of Ayutthaya in 1351 CE.


At establishment, the main pagoda was more diminutive, as an octagonal base of the initial pagoda was found under the present base of the chedi during excavation.


King Thai Sa (reign 1709-1733 CE) restored the monastery. The main chedi was rebuilt larger in bell shape (Sri Lanka style) on a square base, replacing the original one. More pagodas were added. The ordination hall was built with pillars supporting the roof and walls like the ubosot of Wat Kudi Dao but without a porch in the front and the back. A rectangular vihara, 18 metres long by 10 metres wide, was constructed on the north side of the ubosot.


After the reign of King Thai Sa, various pagodas were added. The total number of satellite pagodas found is 29. The main chedi and the ubosot were slightly improved, and the floor behind the ubosot was elevated. The temple was deserted after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 CE.


Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown.


The site is in geographical coordinates: 14° 21' 52.63" N, 100° 35' 22.62" E.


Footnotes:


(1) Khlong Ayodhya, and in its extension, Khlong Kudi Dao, was an artificial short-cut canal running north-south and dug in a loop of the Pa Sak River, which riverbed later became Khlong Hantra. The canal is defunct today, but some small stretches can still be seen parallel with Road No 3058.


References:


[1] Alabaster, Henry (1871). The Wheel of The Law. London: Trubner & Co. p. 10/257.





(Ground plan of Wat Jakrawan)



Selected PICTURES



MAPS



Map 1 - Detail of a 1974 CE Fine Arts Department map. Courtesy Dr Surat Lertlum, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.
Map 2 - Detail of a 1993 CE Fine Arts Department map. Courtesy Khun Supot Prommanot, Director of the 3rd Regional Office of Fine Arts.
Map 3 - Detail of a 2007 CE Fine Arts Department GIS map. Courtesy of the Fine Arts Department 3rd Region.
Map 4 - Google Earth.



When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
(Alexis de Tocqueville)





HISTORY OF AYUTTHAYA



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