Wat Sorasak

The temple is situated inside the northern wall of Sukhothai and close to Ta Pha Daeng Shrine, which is to the southwest of this ancient monument. According to the stone inscription of Wat Sorasak, Nai Inthara Sorasak was granted by Okya Dharmaraja, a Sukhothai governor, a piece of land where he built a temple is a dedication to the governor. After the construction was completed, Venerable Maha Thera Thammatrailok from Dao Khon, an uncle of the Sukhothai governor, was invited to reside at this temple. Later on, in 1416 AD, Somdet Phra Boromma Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya), as a young boy, came with his mother and to Sukhothai to perform a religious ceremony. During the visit, his aunt stayed at the palace in the west and close to Wat Sorasak. This part of the story mentioned in the stone inscription of Wat Sorasak helps to point out that the palace of the Sukhothai royalty is likely to be located to the west of Wat Sorasak and the north of Ta Pha Daeng Shrine. A distinctive building in this temple is its main chedi in circular bell shape on a base surrounded with elephant sculptures. The chedi in this style is another type of Sri Lankan stupa prevalent during the Sukhothai period. The concept of elephants guarding the chedi is based on a belief that the elephant, regarded as a beast of burden for the emperor, is a suitable animal to uphold Buddhism throughout the period of 5000 years firmly. [Ref: Guide to Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet Historical Parks – Fine Arts Department (1999)]

Ayutthaya Historical Research