Wat Nang Phaya Stupa, Thailand

Address

Wat Nang Phaya Stupa, Thailand

Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai 64190,

Thailand

Moolavar

Buddha

Introduction

The Wat Nang Phaya is a Buddhist Stupa ancient temple is located in the central zone of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. The temple is found inside the town walls near Ramnarong gate and its fortress in the East end of the ancient town. The Wat Nang Phaya is more recent than other temples in the Si Satchanalai Historical Park; it was constructed in the 15^th century, the Early Ayutthaya period when Si Satchanalai was known as Sawankhalok.

Puranic Significance

Local legend tells about the Wat Nang Phaya as a legendary temple built by a Princess named Pasujadeve, daughter of a Chinese King. So far, no evidence has been found to support this legend.

Enclosed by laterite walls with four gateways the temple comprises of a principal chedi, a viharn, an ubosot and two subordinate chedis. Its main attraction is the well preserved Ayutthaya style stuccoes reliefs on a section of the viharn’s wall that is still standing.

The well preserved chedi in Singhalese style stands on an elevated platform. It is believed that the base of the bell shaped chedi was once adorned with elephant sculptures, similar to several other chedis in Si Satchanalai like the principal chedi of the Wat Chang Lom and one of the subordinate chedis of the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo.

The square platform was likely used for circumambulation, devotional walking around the chedi in a clockwise direction. The bell sits on a number of receding octagonal tiers. The chedi is topped with an amalaka and a tall tapering finial. On the chedi’s East side is a stairway leading to the arched entrance of the relic chamber. The arches on the other three sides are false entrances.

The chedi resembles the three chedis of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya, the main difference being the four portals protruding out from the structure of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet chedis.

Special Features

In front of the principal chedi stands the main viharn, a large building with front and back porches and a multi tiered roof. The structure built of laterite blocks covered with plaster stands on a high base. The exterior wall of the building was adorned with intricate stucco decorations in floral motifs. The 15^th century early Ayutthaya style stuccoed motifs show Chinese and Lanna influence. The remaining part of the viharn’s West wall is sheltered under a modern roof to protect the fine reliefs from the elements.