Wat Samana Kottharam - Ayutthaya Thailand - วัดสมณโกฏฐาราม

WAT SAMANA KOTTHARAM (วัดสมณโกฏฐาราม)

Wat Samana Kottharam is located off the city island in the eastern part of Ayutthaya. The easiest way to reach this active monastery is by turning north at the roundabout chedi
on Rojana Road (Wat Sam Plum). This temple can be easily found on the western side
of the road.

Wat Samana Kottharam is situated in a part of the city known as Ayodaya. It is widely
believed that a Dvaravati (and Lopburi allied) settlement existed here before King U-Thong established Ayutthaya in 1351.

Wat Samana Kottharam is an active temple with portions of ancient buildings still in situ.
One of its oldest structures is a unique bell-shaped chedi, which could date as early as
the 14th -15th century. There is also a portion of a second chedi on site, but it has greatly eroded. Its relic chamber and spire no longer exist. Still, based on the remaining structure and its multiply indented corners, this Khmer-influenced prang may have been designed in a style dating to the late Ayutthaya period, but this topic is still under debate. One ancient sermon hall has been restored to the basic foundation level, and a large Buddha image has been placed on its altar. There are other ancient structures in situ, but all have also eroded to the basic foundation level. Modern Buddha images in various styles have been placed on the altars. The most interesting Buddha image is standing with his right arm raised and palm pointed outward in a Halting Evil pose. The wheel of Wat Samana Kottharam also has an active ordination hall. This ubosot has been build on the remains of an older construction. It is still possible to see the earlier building’s foundation layer, some of its walls, and a few pillars. The modern ubosot has incorporated them into its current structure.

The history of Wat Samana Kottharam is unclear. Written accounts are vague and
require further investigation. It is implied that Royal Chronicles refer to this monastery
during the reign of King Narai (1656-1688). A man named Chao Phraya Kosa Lek supposedly restored this temple after leading Siamese troops in an attack at Chiang Mai. By some accounts, King Phetracha led a procession to this monastery for the cremation of his wet nurse, Chao Mae Dusit, who was also the mother of Kosa Pan and Kosa Lek.

The first time that Wat Samana Kottharam is specifically mentioned by name is by a
French visitor, Simon de La Loubère. The temple is referred to in a most unusual story
about a Mon from Pegu who self-immolated himself at Wat Sam Vihan due to a family
dispute. The Mon sat cross-legged and smeared thick oil over his entire body. After he
ignited the fire and his body thoroughly charred, his mother had it coated with plaster and a gilded statue was made from it. The statue was then put on an altar at Wat Samana
Kottharam.

The temple complex has an interesting story. The best features of it today are the restored hall and the Chedi. It’s east to get to and worth a bit of time to look around.

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