Wat Phichai Puranaram วัดพิชัยปุรณาราม - Uthai Thani Thailand 2023

Wat Phichai Puranaram วัดพิชัยปุรณาราม

The temple was constructed circa in 1758, during the late Ayutthaya period.

This temple is believed to be the place for performing some rites before soldiers board their ships to engage in fights on battlefields and the ceremony of drinking the waters of allegiance in earlier times.

When Phraya Pichai Sunthon was a governor of Uthai Thani, he had Wat Krang renovated. The name of the temple was then changed to "Pichai Puranaram".

The significant architecture features of this temple include an ordination hall built of brick and mortar. The gable is decorated with the designs of engraved wood adorned with stained glass depicting the Buddha image with the gesture of Dispelling Fear (Abhaya Mudra) flanked by disciples of the Buddha.

Enshrined in the ordination hall, the principal Buddha image is presumed to be cast approximately 700 years ago. On the walls there are mural paintings, depicting the life of the Buddha, the former Buddhas, Phra Malai (a Buddhist saint in a legend which has been widespread in Southeast Asia for a thousand years), Chantakhorop (a folk tale), and ways of life, which were likely to be painted or applied by local artisans after the reign of King Rama IV.

The vihara was built of brick and mortar with clerestories on the walls. The gable was divided into the rectangle frames and decorated with the designs of engraved wood depicting the life of the Buddha. The vihara enshrines the significant Buddha image with the gesture of Subduing Mara named Luang Pho Chaiyasit, assumed to be cast in the middle Ayutthaya period.

Wat Phichai Puranaram sits on the south bank of the Sakae Krang river about 600 meters southeast of Wat Ubosatharam on the opposite bank. The temple predates the construction of the main road into the city, as the temple is now divided in two by the roadway, with secular buildings such as the monks' quarters mostly on the west side of the road, and the religious buildings on the east side near the river.

The area of interest comprises a stately white stuccoed ubosot (ordination hall), a long, low viharn (assembly hall) to the northwest, and several small chedi to the east of the viharn sharing the same courtyard.

Both buildings are normally kept locked to discourage theft, and it is impossible to see into the viharn from the outside as its exterior is devoid of any windows. Only narrow slits, a common Ayutthaya era design feature that allows ventilation and some light into the interior. The only time they are opened are during important Buddhist holidays.

Enjoy the video!

You can also see my videos on Rumble, Bitchute, Odysee and Subscribe Star. If you have any questions or comments and wish to contact me directly I can be reached by email at endlessjourneytravels@gmail.com

https://www.bitchute.com/channel/pYUe8EgYcUMc/

https://odysee.com/$/latest/@EndlessJourney

https://rumble.com/c/EndlessJourney

https://www.subscribestar.com/endless-journey

Follow me on Twitter @AEndlessJourney

#endlessjourney
#travel
#thailand