Wat Thamigarat

According to the legend, Phra Ya Thamigarat, King Sai Nam Phung’s son, built Wat Mukarat on his accession to the throne. The name was changed to Wat Thamigarat later. It was assumed to be as old as Wat Phanan Cherng.

There used to be a large beautiful bronze Buddha image enshrined in Wihara Songtham. Now, only the head of the image is kept in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. The main pagoda in Ceylonese bell style is surrounded by standing Singha Statures with 13 small pagodas. The declining Buddha image, whose footprint is decorated with colorful glasses, is enshrined in the Wihara Phranon.

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Wat Thammikarat

This temple is located in front of the royal palace of Ayutthaya.
According to the chronicle of the north, this was founded by
Phraya Thammikarat, a son of King Sainam Phung before the
Ayutthaya period. It was then called Wat Mukkharat, since
then the name was changed in honour of the founder.

Important monuments which may be found inside the temple
are : the chapel which used to enshrine a huge bronze Buddha
image (now on displayed at the Chao Sam Phraya National
Museum); a bell-shaped chedi; an ordination hall; and a hall
housing a reclining Buddha image. All these monuments are
of the Ayutthaya style of the 14th to the 17th century.

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The temple has been renovated.

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The temple has been renovated.

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Wat Thammikarat in Ayutthaya

Buddha Image at Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya

Buddha Image in the Ubosoth at Wat Thammikarat in Ayutthaya.

Wat Thammikarat houses a large Ubosoth, only the base and some walls remaining. But it gives a good impression of the size of the building. Instead of the 'usual' elephants, the chedi is surrounded by lion images, most in fairly good condition (some restored). The heads of the lion images are clearly in Khmer style.

The temple compound also houses a small building dedicated to Rahu. In Hindu mythology Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. Some family members of Thai politicians have been known to worship Rahu.

Hand Gesture of Buddha Image at Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya

Buddha Image with threads (part of religious ceremony) at Ubosoth in Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya.

Image of Rahu, swallowing the sun. Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya.

Lion Sculpture at Chedi of Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya

Lion sculpture on the corner of the Chedi at Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya.

Lion sculptures at Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya.

Reclining Buddha at Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya.