Wat Rakhang

Wat Rakhang, or the Monastery of the Bell, also known as Wat Worapho, is an enormous ruin with several sections of structures in situ. Its primary stupa is a Khmer-influenced prang that has eroded from the point of its relic chamber. This prang has staircases in all the cardinal directions, and its defining characteristic is heavily redented corners.

There is also a large sermon hall, an ordination hall, and traces of a gallery of Buddha images. On the monastery's northernmost side is a two-tiered chedi with a terrace allowing worshippers to walk around it three times for worship ceremonies. A large, crowned Buddha image in the Taming Mara pose sits proudly in excellent condition, accompanied by other images.

Wat Rakhang is first associated with King Songtham (reign 1610/1611?-1628 CE), who served as a high-ranking monk at this monastery under the title of "Phra Phimontham Anantapricha". As a monk, he was revered as a Buddhist scholar, which enabled him to form a clique of nobles and disciples. This support allowed him to leave the monkhood to claim the throne from the one-eyed King Si Saowaphak, who was executed with a sandalwood club at Wat Khok Phraya.

In 1662 CE, Burmese troops tricked 500 Siamese soldiers by pretending to withdraw to their stockade in defeat. With this tactic, the Burmese captured the Siamese and their leader Si Ratcha Decho. King Narai asked the Royal abbot of the Monastery of the Bell, skilled at divination, to predict the status of Si Ratcha Decho. The Royal abbot foresaw that the military leader would escape capture and gain a victory over the Burmese troops. When the Royal abbot's prediction came true, King Narai praised and presented him with holy rewards.

King Borommakot (reign 1733-1758 CE) renewed diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Siam by sending monks and clerics to the country to ordain noble youths and perpetuate Buddhism. It is believed that the Singhalese embassy presented King Borommakot with a unique tree in gratitude for sending these Siamese monks. After this tree was planted at this monastery, the King changed the temple’s name to Wat Worapho.

Ayutthaya Historical Research