Wat Phra Kaeo

Wat Phra Kaeo is an ancient temple housing a beautiful square-based stupa. On the temple premises stands a high stupa in a harmonious blend of the Lawo and late Dvaravati styles, as well as a relic chamber with a recessed base in the Sukhothai and Sri Vijaya styles.

In front of the stupa stands a Buddha image hall known as Wihan Luang Pho Chai, where a delicately carved sandstone lintel was found at the back of the image. This lintel depicts an image of the God Indra riding the elephant Erawan inside a stylized shelter in a distinctive Khmer style, which dates back to more than 1,000 years ago. It is believed that at the decline of the Khmer empire, someone must have taken this artefact from somewhere and carved the Buddha image out of it. However, the head of the elephant is overturned, its trunk pointing upward, as a riddle that in order to be enlightened like the Lord Buddha "one must overcome greed, hatred and ignorance to find true happiness." [Source: TAT]

Ayutthaya Historical Research