Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)

Originally known as "Wat Pa Kaew" or "Wat Chao Thai" ✔️ Location: Luang Pho Khao Alley 3, Phai Ling Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. It is situated southeast of Ayutthaya Island, now part of Khlong Suan Phlu Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. ✔️ Highlights: The temple is renowned for its large chedi, believed to have been restored during the reign of King Naresuan the Great. Inside the main chapel, the sacred Phra Buddha Chai Mongkhon, the principal Buddha image of the temple, is enshrined. ✔️ Historical Background during the Ayutthaya Era: The temple was established in the early Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Ramathibodi I, also known as King U-Thong, the founder of Ayutthaya. According to legend, in 1357 AD, King U-Thong ordered the exhumation and cremation of Chao Kaew and Chao Thai, who had passed away due to cholera. The cremation site was then transformed into a monastery, leading to an increase in monastic education at Wat Pa Kaew. During King Naresuan's reign, significant events suggest the restoration of the temple's main chedi to honor his victory over the Burmese Crown Prince, which is believed to be the origin of the name "Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.".