History - Wat Yai Chaimongkhon

Initially, this monastery was constructed by King U – thong in 1900 B.E. to accommodate the monks that once were ordained from Phra Wanratana Mahathera Bureau in Ceylon. This denomination is called The Pakaew Group. Thereby this monastery was named “Wat Pakaew”. Many people because followes of this donomination and there were many monks ordered in the order so that Pakaws Group quickly because propous during this period. Later on many people were faithful in this domination. Many of them were ordained the monks of this domination so that Pakaew Group became prosperous rapidly during that time.

Phra Rachathibodi then appointed the director of this sect as the right – sided patriarch named “Phra Wanratana” while “Phra Putthakosajarn,” held the position of the left – sided patriarch. Since the patriarch stayed here, this monastery was named Wat Chao Phayatai. The ubosot of this monastery was the place where King Tianracha had prayed for the throne before he could beat Khun Worawongsathiraj, another candidate for the throne. In 2135 B.E. in the reign of King Naraesuan the Great, Phra Maha Uparacha of Burma marched his army to Ayutthaya in order to take control over the Thai Kingdom. King Naresuan then marched his army to combat the invader. They met at Nong Sarai, Supan Buri district. King Naraesuan had a fight on elephant back with Phra Maha Uparacha. King Naresuan was able to kill his rival but he could not destroy the enemy’s army because his soldiers were further behind. King Naraesuan was full of rage when he came back to Ayutthaya and wanted the commanders to be executed because they were unable to follow him. However, Phra Wanratana of Wat Pa Kaew asked him for the death penalty and suggested him to build a Chedi to celebrate the victory instead. King Naraesuan the great then decided to construct a large Chedi in this monastery named Phra Chedi Chaimongkhon. This monastery became Wat Yai Chaimongkhon later on.

The Reclining Buddha

The Reclining Buddha image and its vihara were probably built in the reign of King Narasuan. It was particularly used for worship and meditation. The present image was restored in A.D. 1965.

The Ubosatha Hall

The Ubosatha Hall is the main hall for Sangha (Brotherhood of monks). It is used to hold important religious ceremonies. It was first built in A.D. 1357 by King U Thong, the first king of Ayutthaya. It was King U Thong who proclaimed this as the royal monastery of the forest order (The Aranya Vasi School).

In A.D.1549, King Maha jargravati (before becoming King by overthrowing the usurper of the throne) came to pray in this very hall. He consulted his fortune by lighting an oracular candle.

In A.D.1592, King Naresuan, his nephew, enlarged the Ubosatha Hall. We can still see parts of its old walls.

In A.D.1766 Ayutthaya was sacked by the Burmese army. The hall was ruined and the monastery deserted.

The monastery was re-established and officially recognized in 1957. The Ubosatha Hall was rebuilt in 1979 with the size diminished inorder that the original structure is left for detection and reverence.

The Great Chedi Chaya Mongkhol

The Great Chedi Chaya Mongkhol was built by the command of King Naresuan the Great, to commemorate his decisive victory over the Burmese invasion in A.D. 1592. The event was climaxed in the momentous elephant combat between the King and the Burmese crown prince Maha Uparaja, in the province of Suparnburi the renown of King Naresuan was Such that there was no more outside invasion for the following two hundred years.

Thus, the Great Chedi serves as a symbol of prowess and sacrifice of the King and his soldiers, who with their national and religious devotion have brought about calm and peaceful assurance to the Thai people.