Wat Ratchaburana (Ayutthaya)
The Wat Ratchaburana (also Wat Ratburana, Thai วัด ราช บุรณะ พระนครศรีอยุธยา, pronounced [ Wat râ ː t bu ː - rá - ná prá - ná -kon Si a - yú - tá -ya ː ] ) is a Buddhist temple ( Wat ) in historical park Ayuthaya, Central Thailand.
Location
The Wat Ratchaburana located near the center of the old city of Ayutthaya, Lopburi west of the river. South towards located on Naresuan Road Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya, both were, form a twin temple.
Architectural History
According to most versions of the 'Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya " Wat Ratchaburana 1424 ( " the year of the dog 780 CS " ) at the instance of King Borommaracha II (r. 1424-1448 ) was built to the ashes of his older brothers Chao Phraya Ai and Chao Yi Phraya record that had previously killed each other in an elephant duel for the throne "at the bottom of the Pa -Than bridge ". The name of the temple can be translated as Royal fulfillment. This version corresponds to the 'official' history of Thailand, based on studies of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab.
The " Luang Prasoet version " of the Royal Chronicles, however, dates the duel between the two brothers in the year 786 CS, "A year of the Dragon " ( 1430). The third brother, Prince Sam Phraya, was therefore crowned King Boromaradscha. He built two chedi at the site of the duel. In the same year he founded the monastery " Wat Ratchabun " (Royal merits ), which was apparently independent of the events which led to his coronation.
The penultimate King of Ayutthaya Uthumphon, which was taken in 1767 by the Burmese as a hostage, writes in his chronicle that Wat Ratchaburana of King Ekathotsarot (reigned 1605-1610 ) was founded " in the town south-east of the palace ."
Finally, there is the version of the " inhabitants of the Old Capital" ( Khamhaikan Chao Krung Kao), which were captured by the Burmese in 1767. This version describes the creation of seven major monasteries by King Boromakot (reigned 1733-1758 ), one of which was called Wat Ratchaburana.
Attractions
Phra Wihan with Prang in the background
Phra Wihan absorbed by Prang
Phra Prang
Ornaments at the Prang
The high Prang of Wat Ratchaburana still has numerous decorations, such as Nagas, Garuda and other minor characters in beautiful stucco work.
During the extensive restoration work that has been initiated by the Thai government, was found in 1957/58 in a crypt of the Prang historic valuables, such as royal regalia of gold and with jewels occupied, antique jewelery in highest quality and several golden Buddha statues. You are now in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, Ayutthaya. Further research laid a total of three rooms open, three of which are adorned with murals. They served as an offering and were not originally intended for public. The rooms were filled with thousands of neatly stacked votive tablets, on which Buddha images from Thailand, India, Burma, Indonesia and Nepal were. Among the votive tablets are also three with Chinese inscription and a golden plaque with Chinese characters. There are also two gold pieces from Kashmir, three Buddha images from Sri Lanka, a stone Buddha from India and another from Nepal. This finding shows the vastness of the relations of Ayutthaya in the 15th century.
Monuments
Due to the floods in autumn 2011 Wat Ratchaburana has been greatly affected, as the water several weeks was about 1m high in large parts of the historical park Ayutthaya. In December 2011, talks were held between the Department of Fine Arts and the German Embassy, where Wat Ratchaburana was selected as a "conservation property". Here an example of a concept should be developed in order to preserve the fine stucco and plaster decorations. In 2012, therefore, the " German Wat Ratchaburana Safeguarding Project" ( GRASP ) was founded. Project partners are the Thai Department of Fine Arts and the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, Institute for Restoration and Conservation Sciences ( CICS) under the direction of Hans Leisen. The project was funded by the Foreign Office, was also included the regional office of UNESCO.
In three major campaigns in the summer of 2012, during the spring and summer of 2012, an extensive German team worked with a team of Ayutthaya Historical Park Office. In this case, all the preservative steps were accurately described and translated into Thai. The project duration was limited to December 2013. During this time, work on the entrance building and the southeast side of Prang could be finished. The conservation of the southwest side and emergency measures being taken were prepared so that the Thai staff perform additional work independently, no further funding from the Foreign Office should be approved.