Wat Worachettharam

Wat Worachettharam is a large restored ruin with many architectural structures in situ. One of its primary features is a large bell-shaped chedi constructed in the classic middle-Ayutthaya period style. A large Buddha image, in the Taming Mara pose, sits on the altar of the sermon hall in front of it.

The ordination hall lies to the north. This roofless building has all its walls intact, and there is evidence that ceramic plates were once placed within the stucco of the gable. Inside, a second Buddha image sits on the altar in the Taming Mara pose. A gallery of fragmented Buddha images can be seen along the walls. Several other structures are also in situ.

Wat Worachetharam is often confused with a monastery with a similar name located west of the city island. This confusion has led to many complications when interpreting history related to the two monasteries. Both monasteries are listed as possible sites for containing King Naresuan's ashes.

The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya refer to an enormous and widely attended funeral ceremony held in honour of King Naresuan in 1605 CE by his brother, King Ekathotsarot. A temple was built on the site of his cremation, which had a great stupa with a holy relic of the Buddha, dormitories, a wall appropriate for the forest-dwelling sect of Buddhists, and a complete edition of the Tripitaka. Forest monks were invited to live inside this chief temple and supported with alms to be supplied with food daily without fail.

Recently, Thai visitors have often placed ceramic roosters on the large bell-shaped chedi at Wat Worachettharam. The offering symbolises King Naresuan's enjoyment of cockfighting. It reflects the popular nationalistic legend that, while still a young boy forced to live in Burma, he waged a bet with a Burmese prince for Ayutthaya's freedom. The two youngsters staged a cockfight to determine the city's outcome, and the Burmese prince lost the bet. These roosters started appearing after a popular movie about King Naresuan was released.

Ayutthaya Historical Research