History of Wat Chaiyo Worawihan

            Wat Chaiyo Worawihan, a second class royal temple of the Worawihan type in Maha Nikaya fraternity, is located in the west bank of Chao Phraya River at no. 21, Moo 3, Chaiyo Sub-district, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong. The land area of the monastery is 35 Rai, 3 Ngan and 97 Square Wah and it was granted the Royal Wisungkhamasima in 2433 B.E. (1890).

            Wat Chaiyo Worawihan (also known as “Wat Ket Chaiyo”), originally a private temple, was built during the Ayutthaya Period by an unknown founder. It became famous late in the reign of King Rama IV around 2400-2405 B.E. (1857-1862) since Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (Toh Brahmaramsi) had built the large Buddha image at this historical temple. It was told that the reason that Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (Toh) had to build the Buddha image at this place was it was his grandfather and mother’s hometown. He therefore made the Buddha statue in order to consign merit to them. Moreover, it was the place he was taught and educated.

            As Somdej was holding the monk’s title of “Phra Thepkavee”, he built a big Buddha image at Wat Chaiyo twice. The first time, he made a large seated Buddha image from clay and bricks but it was collapsed soon after. The second time, a new statute was made in the same way, from clay and bricks, but in a scaled-down size. The construction was successful but it was not so fine and neat. It was a white plaster Buddha statue in the posture of meditating but was not covered in gold leaf. Sitting outdoors, it can be seen from a long distance.

            In 2430 B.E. (1887), the year of the pig, King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) had a Royal Command to title Chao Phraya Rattanabodin (Rod Kalayanamitr) as the restoration chief of Wat Chaiyo renovating team. Since there was ramming piles of a sanctuary causing ground vibrations, the plaster Buddha image was collapsed. Thus, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great officially approved to build a new one by reducing the size and constructing a steel frame inside for adhesion. The new Buddha statue (Toh) was built with a new outer robe and wide formal robe with the lap width of 8 Wah 6 inches and the height (from the radiance to feet) of 11 Wah 1 cubits 9 inches. Then, it was graciously named by His Majesty as “Phra Maha Phutthaphim” (called by locals as Luang Phor Toh). His Majesty had granted the temple to be one of the royal temples as well as commanded to hold a big celebration during October 5-7, 2438 B.E. (1895). The total construction and restoration period was 8 years from 2430 B.E. (1887) to 2438 B.E. (1895). Every year, there are two big celebrations held at Wat Chaiyo that are in the 14^th to 15^th day of the 5^th waxing moon and in the 7^th to 11^th day of the 1^st waning moon.

Note

            Many people are confused about the temple’s name among “Wat Chaiyo”, “Wat Ket Chaiyo” (วัดเกษไชโย) or “Wat Ket Chaiyo” (วัดเกศไชโย). However, the official name of this temple is “Wat Chaiyo Worawihan”.

            The cause of this confusion is that when the name of the first abbot, after King Rama V had renovated the temple, was “Phra Maha Ket” and later called by the locals as “Phra Maha Ket of Wat Chaiyo” and it was named and written in short as “Wat Kes Chaiyo”. After Phra Somdej became famous and popular in Bangkok, amulet collectors have called as it “Phra Somdej Wat Ket Chaiyo” up until now.