Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, Thailand

Address

Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, Thailand

Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai 64190,

Thailand

Moolavar

Buddha

Introduction

The Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo is a large temple located in the central zone of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park, the ancient town contained within a system of defensive walls. Its name translates to “the temple with seven rows of chedis”. The Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo was built between 1340 and 1350 by Sukhothai King Lithai. Surrounded by a boundary wall with four gates, the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo is an attractive temple with numerous monuments in various styles. The temple comprises of a principal chedi, a viharn and 32 subordinate chedis.

Puranic Significance

The temple’s most important structure is its principal chedi, the largest one on the grounds. Standing on a high base of five square receding tiers, the Sukhothai style lotus bud chedi is topped with a concentric spire. Surrounding the chedi was a gallery with seated images of the Buddha. Very little of it is left today. Other examples of lotus bud chedis can be found at the nearby Wat Suan Utthayan Noi and several temples in Sukhothai Historical Park, like the Wat Mahathat. In front of the principal chedi stands the viharn, the assembly hall with an entrance portal at the back and front. The base, lower part of the columns that supported the roof and a pedestal with the lower part of a seated Buddha image remain

Special Features

The grounds house 32 smaller chedis in various architectural styles, including Sukhothai, Bagan and Khmer. Several lotus bud chedis (Sukhothai), prasat style stupas (Khmer) and bell shaped stupas are grouped around the principal lotus bud chedi. Many have niches enshrining images of the Buddha in various postures, including several of very elegant Sukhothai style walking and standing Buddha images.

To the back of the principal chedi stands a smaller chedi enshrining in a niche a well preserved stuccoed Buddha image in meditation mudra seated on the coiled up body of a multi headed Naga snake. After having reached enlightenment, the Buddha meditated for a week, when a violent storm with torrential rain broke out. Mucalinda, the King of the Naga serpents appeared and protected the Buddha from the rain with its hood.

The top of a small circular chedi encircled by elephants has collapsed. Standing in niches around the base of the chedi are small statues of elephants, five on each side and one on each corner. Many of these “elephant encircled chedis” were built during the Sukhothai era. Other examples can be found at the nearby Wat Chang Lom, the Wat Sorasak in Sukhothai Historical Park and the Wat Phra Kaew in Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park.