Wat Phanan Choeng
The Wat Choeng Phanan ( Thai: วัด พ นั ญ เชิง วรวิหาร ) is a Buddhist temple ( Wat ) in historical park Ayuthaya, central Thailand. The temple is a royal temple of the "second class ", he has been its investment in the 14th century in operation.
Etymology
The name Phanaeng choen comes from the Khmer language. It means "sit with bunk legs ". The words Phanaeng choen appear several times later in texts of the Ayutthaya period on, for example, in the Vessantara Jataka in which they, instead of the Pali word nisi ( sit down ) are used: the Buddha sat down to the birth story ( Jataka ) Prince Vessantara tell.
Location
The Wat Choeng panan located in the southeast of the old city of Ayutthaya on a small hill southeast of the mouth of the Pasak River in the Chaophraya. Opposite on the north bank of the Pasak is the Wat Suwan Dararam and the last remaining part of the old city fortifications, the " Fort Phet " ( ป้อม พ ชร ).
Architectural History
The temple is said of King Sai Namphoeng ( Thai: พระเจ้า สายน้ำผึ้ง ) at the cremation ground of the Chinese Princess Soi Dok Mak ( พระนาง สร้อย ดอกหมาก ) have been established. According to legend, the princess to Ayodhya ( เมือง อ โยธ ยา ) had come to marry King Sai Namphoeng. Embittered about the fact that the king spurned, she choked up on the spot. Chinese have there built her a shrine. It is very revered by the Chinese -born Thai.
Interestingly, Wat Choeng Phanan was founded in 1324, ie about 26 years before Ayutthaya was capital of the empire. Here then there was an old trading station Bang Ka - cha ( บาง กะ จะ ), docked at the Chinese junks. Due to the continuous evolution of the temple, many influences of past ages show next to each other.
The main statue was renovated several times during the past centuries, such as the reign of King Naresuan the Great (1590-1605), under King Mongkut (Rama IV 1851-1868 ) and ending in 1929. Called King Mongkut Phra Puttha Thrai Ratana Nayok.
Attractions
Remarkably, the 19 -meter-high gilded Buddha statue is in the attitude of submission of the Mara from 1334, represents one of the largest ancient Buddha statue in the country. It has a wingspan of 20.1 meters knees. It is in Thai Luang Pho Tho ( หลวง พ่อ โต ), called by the Chinese, but as Sam Pao Kong ( Thai: ซำ เปา ก ง ) refers. He is regarded as the protector of trade and seafaring. There is also the legend that Luang Pho Tho flowed shortly before the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese "Tears of the holy eyes to the holy navel ".
The eastern entrance to the Viharn Luang Pho Tho can be reached via a T-shaped, covered hall, in the center of which stands a statue of Kuan Yin. This statue is very revered by the Chinese believers. The high entrance of the main Viharn is flanked by long tables on which golden Chinese characters are shown on a red background.
North and south are two smaller viharn attached to the T-shaped hall. In the southern viharn three Buddha statues in the Sukhothai style, one is made of gold ( " พระทอง "), one of Nak ( " พระ นา ก " ), a Thai copper-gold alloy, is made of plaster. The walls of the northern viharn are decorated with strange looking paintings depicting offerings in Chinese style.
North outside of this building complex, from a " jewel wall" ( Kampheng Kaeo ) is surrounded, is the Chinese shrine of Princess Soi Dok Mak ( ศาล เจ้าแม่ สร้อย ดอกหมาก ).