Wat Thepphon Pradittharam

Terrain

General Condition

Wat Thepphon Pradittharam is located in the municipality of Wiang Kuk Subdistrict. which is the area of ​​the ancient city of Wiang Kuk in the past The nature of the area is a mound on the plains along the banks of the Mekong River caused by the deposition of sediments. The north side of Wiang Khuk is adjacent to Huai Khuk and the Mekong River in the river bank. (Huai Kuk flows through the city's north side, runs parallel to the Mekong River before crossing south at the western side of the city). The surrounding area is agricultural and farming area (except for the north side adjacent to the Mekong River).

Wat Thepphon Pradittharam is located in the central part of Wiang Khuk. At present, the north and west sides of the temple are densely populated with houses. On the east and south are people's houses and agricultural areas. The temple is located 200 meters south of Huai Kok, 350 meters south of the Mekong River, and has an ancient waterway running south adjacent to the temple's territory.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Mekong River, Huai Cook

Geological conditions

Mekong River sediment deposition during the Holocene period

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Wat Thepphon Pradittharam is located in the Wiang Khuk area. This is an ancient city with evidence of inhabitants since the Dvaravati, Khmer and Lan Xang periods.

Wat Thepphon Pradittharam Formerly known as Wat Siri Thepphon or Wat Thung, it is now Wat Rat. Affiliated with Maha Nikaya According to the history of the temple, it was established in 1917 and was granted Wisung Kham Sima in 2010.

As for the original history, this temple was built since the reign of King Anuruttharat. of Vientiane Later, ten thousand Kang Hong Mayor of Wiang Kuk restored and after the town of Wiang Kuk was dissolved into a village It was not restored again until 1917 when the temple was renovated to be Wat Thepphon Pradittharam. The villagers call it Wat Thung.

While local myths say In ancient times, there was a King with two daughters, both of whom had beautiful appearances. They also have a beautiful mind. There is a great devotion to Buddhism. have sacrificed their wealth to build the relics, each one The father of Phaya saw the faith of the daughter. therefore gave gold to both daughters When the daughter received the gold from her father, she thought should bring these gold to offer as a Buddhist offering Therefore, a goldsmith had to make a gold peacock each one and bring the golden peacock into the relics. Therefore, the two relics are called "Phra That Golden Peacock"

Important archaeological evidence within the temple is

Elemental Pagoda Number 1 Located to the north of the ubosot and Chedi No. 2, to the northeast of the Viharn.

brick pagoda element There are traces of plaster and stucco. There is a square layout. The lower base is 11 meters wide on each side. It is the base of the chopping board stacked in 3 layers, connected with the base of the lotus base and the base of the corner pad. (This type of sloping base set is called Bua Khao Phrom) Next up is a 2-storey nested house of elements, recessed, with a shallow arch. In the center of all sides, overlapping 2 floors like the elemental house. followed by the bell and the twelve wooden recessed throne (similar to a square lotus shape) and then the top is a pointed cone.

The overall shape of the Chedi Element is somewhat more slender than Pagoda No. 2 in the south. Determine the age in Lan Xang art that is influenced by Lanna. (considering the characteristics of the arch chanam) and Ayutthaya around the 22nd Buddhist century (Prapat Chuwichian 2014)

Elemental Pagoda Number 2 It is located behind or on the west side of the chapel. South of Chedi No. 1 and Vihara.

brick pagoda element There are traces of plaster and stucco. There is a square layout. The bottom base is about 9 meters wide on each side. It is a chopping board base stacked in 3 layers, 1 layer of recessed base, an inverted lotus layer (this type of reclining base set is called Bua Khao Phrom (Praphat Chuwichian 2014)), followed by a wooden recessed house element. twelve The relics on each side have a hole in the arch to enshrine the Buddha image in the posture of opening the world. (Appears in the west and south side of the arch) (similar to a square lotus shape) followed by a throne and a pointed cone top

From the style of the house of elements that have a porch and have a stacked layer according to the above characteristics. Understand that it is influenced by Lanna style art combined with Ayutthaya and local influences. Determine the age of the Lan Xang art that was influenced by Lanna and Ayutthaya around the 22nd Buddhist century (Prapat Chuwichian 2014).

A stucco Buddha image standing in an open posture that is enshrined in the altar of Chedi No. 2 is now only visible on the west and south sides. The west body is damaged, the head, the right arm and parts from the lower leg are broken. occupy a robe The end of the sangha is a lobe. while the southern body is in perfect condition robe Determining the age of the Lan Xang art around the 22nd Buddhist century (Prapat Chuwichian 2014)

Sema The parapet is positioned in the middle and left-right in front of the chapel. (Ubosot facing east) is a sculpture in the roof structure of the stone castle in Khmer art, including 3 pieces, with the left and right side being a piece of jackfruit petals carved into a person or an idol. The middle piece in the front is a sculpture carved in the shape of an animal resembling a serpent (unfinished carving), which is believed to be in the 16th-18th Buddhist century, which is the reuse of old stone castle parts in later Buddhist sanctuaries.

In addition, in the position of the parapet in the middle behind the chapel (Located between the Ubosot and Chedi No. 2) enshrines a stone carved Buddha image. The exact origin and age are unknown.

There are also many important places within the temple, including

The Temple On the side or north of the chapel, built in 2013, is a large brick building. wooden roof frame Lanna Art, Lan Xang Inside enshrines the main Buddha image. Around the viharn decorated with a sculpture of the head of an ancient Khmer serpent. The front of the temple exhibits artifacts found in the temple area. especially those obtained from the restoration of the 2nd Chedi Relics such as earthenware, earthenware, and bronze utensils. and carved Buddha images

Ubosot It is a brick building with a raised mortar. rectangular chart There are stairs going up and down in front or on the east side. Art is generally a mix between central and local. The body and the corpse are carved in wood. According to history, it is said to be a new ordination hall built in place of the old one more than 100 years ago (?) inside enshrined a Buddha image in the subduing Mara posture. Lan Xang Folk Art Some of the parapets around the chapel are jackfruit petals of the stone castle and the Buddha image above.

The City Pillar Shrine It is located in the northern area of ​​the temple. It is a transparent pavilion made of bricks and mortar, according to history, it was built instead of the original in 1999 around the City Pillar Shrine. Some pieces have a stucco pattern in the shape of a lotus flower. Some pieces are bases. Assumed that it might be a lotus piece from an old relic.

ancient well Approximately 6 meters deep, covered with small pieces of wood. With a diameter of 1 meter, it is assumed that it was built at the same time as the temple. Villagers believe that inside the pond there is a golden gong. because the water in the well is sometimes yellow like gold. Currently, the mouth of the brick well holds cement.

Pool There are 2 ponds, both the old pond and the new pool, excavated in 1978. It is said that during the excavation, gold was found in the form of a mortar and pestle. about half a kilogram The temple committee sold it to bring money to build a wall around the church.