Wat Yod Kaew

Terrain

General Condition

Wat Yod Kaew 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 Yod Kaew is located in the western area of ​​Wiang Kuk. The west side of the temple is adjacent to Huai Cook. other aspects At present, it is a dense community of people's houses. The north is about 300 meters from the Mekong River, about 100 meters from Huai Cook.

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 Yod Kaew 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 Yod Kaew was formerly known as Wat Kuang Kee or Wat Hua Khuang because of its wide area. When there is a merit-making ceremony, important traditions are held at this temple. According to the history of the temple, it was built in 1238 B.E. (?) received Wisung Kham Seema in 1989. It has not yet been declared an ancient monument.

Important archaeological evidence within the temple includes the remains of a large temple building and ancient sculptures in the sacrament hall.

Moreover, Wat Yod Kaew may also be the place where Phra Bang was enshrined for 126 years. (Some scholars assumed that it was Wat Yod Kaew) later brought to the city of Chiang Thong. Then change the name from Chiang Thong to Luang Prabang.

Important archaeological evidence that appears inside the temple are:

The remains of the viharn and the Buddha image in the viharn The temple is located in the middle of the temple. It looks like a large temple ruins, made of bricks, rectangular plan, 7-8 rooms long (approximately 35-40 meters long, about 15 meters wide), facing east. Currently, a new temple is being built to cover it.

On both sides (north and south) of the viharn are rows of octagonal laterite columns. At present, only 4 trees are left on each side and one more in the viharn. Therefore, it is assumed that the original viharn has 2 rows of laterite columns on each side. The outer column diameter is about 1 meter and the inner column diameter is about 0.85 meters. Each pillar has a slot for inserting the elements on top. wooden Some columns were built over by the walls of the current viharn. In addition, in front of the viharn there are still remains of a brick arch. There are traces of plaster and stucco adorning the base of the arch. The age of this viharn can be determined around the 21st - 22nd Buddhist century (Prapat Chuwichian 2012).

The principal Buddha image of the Viharn is a large Buddha image. folk art which should be restored later Around the 24th-25th Buddhist century because there are parts of the original Buddha image falling behind the main Buddha image (Prapat Chuwichian 2012).

The ruins of the aforementioned Buddha image are parts of the head, Angsa and the arm, in an area similar to a square pond (made later), presumably that it is the original Buddha image.

Praphat Chuwichian (2012) stated that when considering the characteristics of the head with a bent The tail of the king's eye The Nasik Kum Buddha image has a smooth base. There is clearly a line connecting the Phra Nasik and the corners of the mouth on both sides. which is a Lan Xang art form Age around the 22nd-23th Buddhist century

Ancient sculpture enshrined inside the sacrament hall adjacent to the south temple (While surveying the temple, closed the door of the pavilion and no monks were found inside the temple). Information from the Fine Arts Department indicates that there are 2 statues, namely

The 1 It is a sculpture of a person sitting cross-legged, about 1 foot tall, with the head missing. But later the head of the Buddha image was attached and painted gold over the whole body. From the study of scholars in the past found that This Buddha image resembles a large stone Buddha image on the balcony of Wat Phra That Luang. Vientiane City Wall is very much. It is assumed that the former may be a Buddha image or a statue of Jayavarman VII during the Bayon period of the Khmer Empire. 18th century Buddhist found at Ban Sai Phong or Sai Phong city in the past, Laos, opposite the Mekong River and Wiang Kuk. (called Khmer art found in Laos that Sai Phong art) and Laos is thought to have converted into a Buddha image later, like at Wat Yod Kaew. by the stone Buddha statue at Wat Yod Kaew (Which is smaller than the one found in Sai Phong) may be a prototype sculpture from Khmer to carve a larger body in Sai Phong.

The second part It is a sculpture of a person standing about 1 meter high. Some scholars assume that it may be an idol of Lord Shiva in the city of Bangkok. (Angkor Wat - Angkor Thom), but later the temple was covered with cement and converted into a Buddha image in the posture of forgiveness. There is a header and base. then spray gold over it From this survey, 2 such Buddha images were found, so it is not known exactly which one.