Wat Samanakottharam

Located near Wat Kudidao, this Temple was renovated by Chao Phraya Kosa (Lek) and Phraya Kosa (Pan) during the reign of King Narai the Great. The main attraction is a large and unusual prang believed to be an imitation of the design of Chedi Chet Yot of Chiang Mai.

Wat Samana Kottharam was probably built in the early period of Ayutthaya, and then restored in the late Ayutthaya period by Chao Phraya Kosathibodi (Lek) and Chao Phraya Kosathibodi (Pan). Gamfer, a German doctor from the East India Company who arrived in Ayutthaya during the reign of Somdet Phra Phetracha, wrote in his archives that Somdet Phra Narai Maharat attended the cremation of the Kosa Lek and Kosa Pan at this Temple. Accordingly, the restoration might have taken place during the reign of Somdet Phra Narai Maharat. It is also believed that Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat was ordained a monk here. Once arrived, it is worth noting the remaining foundation of Phra Viharn at the front of the temple. At the back of the Viharn, there is a sandstone figure of Buddha named ‘Phra Pichit Man Molee’ or ‘Luang Phor Khao’. The figures of his disciples are seated on both side of the Buddha statue. Following the architectural styles in the late Ayutthaya period, the ubosot is built from brick and cement into an arch-like form of a bark. The building has doors on its four sides. The roof is a gable roof which was made of wood. Inside the ubosot is situated the principle Buddha image of the temple named ‘Phra Si Samanagot Bophit’. The Buddha in the Bhumisparsa Mudra is a sandstone artwork from the early period of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Another attraction at Wat Samana Kottharam is a large stupa which looks different from stupas at other sites. The style is assumed to be copied from the Seven-Spires Temple in Chiang Mai. The stupa was built on the existing chedi probably around the middle Ayutthaya period. A portico was added on its eastern side. Two sets of stairs were built on different sides as an entrance to the walkway around the central architecture. In addition, there is a bell-shaped chedi situated between the stupa and the ubosot. The chedi, as seen from its particularities including the carved patterns on the harmika, was likely built along with the construction of the temple. Both the stupa and the chedi are believed to have been built on the existing buildings which dated back to the early Ayutthaya era. The map for Wat Samana Kottharam is available on http://www.tourismthailand.org/fileadmin/upload_img/Multimedia/Ebrochure/471/วัดสมณโกฏฐาราม.pdf