WAT HANTRA วัดหันตรา - Ayutthaya - Historic Site from Thai-Burmese War

WAT HANTRA วัดหันตรา

It was also in the vicinity of Ban Hantra that Phraya Tak - the later King Taksin - broke
through the Burmese encirclement at the end of 1766, in his escape to the south, after having encamped at Wat Phichai.

Account of the escape from the Thai chronicles, “As soon as it began to rain hard, forming an auspicious moment propitious for victory, the Phraya of Kamphæng Phet led the brigades of his army from the stockade at the Monastery of Victory and marched his army along toward the Village of the Division of the Seal. Just as it was getting dark the Burmese army managed to advance in pursuit and catch up with him, and they faced and fought each other in capable fashion. The Burmese army, being unable to withstand [his army], retreated and went back.”

Wat Hantra is located off the city island in the northeastern part of the city. This monastery can be very difficult to find by road because it is situated in a sparsely populated area with few landmarks or businesses around.

Wat Hantra is an active monastery with Buddhist clergy providing religious services to
the community. For this reason, it has the standard buildings required for such a
temple (ordination hall, sermon hall, crematorium, bell tower, funeral chedi, and monks’ quarters). These building are mostly designed In the Bangkok style. The walls of the ubosot used to have been colorfully painted with a large mural behind the altar which made it appear as if Buddha was meditating in the shade of a Bodhi tree.

Wat Hantra’s primary chedi is situated in front of the ordination hall. It had been painted
gold and has multiple levels leading up to its spire. It has redented corners even at the
relic chamber, which resembles a bell. A Buddha image stands outside between this
chedi and the ordination hall. Several statues of elephants have been placed around it.
There is also an old bell and a carving of an ancient soldier on the premises of Wat
Hantra.

In addition, behind the ordination hall, there are remnants of an old temple from the
Ayutthaya period. One structure resembles part of a wall and an arched gate. This has
been converted into a shrine with Buddha images and a colorful painting of Buddha
delivering a sermon. A Bodhi tree has grown over a second brick and mortar construction that could have been a chedi. These structures are viewable from the canal.

There is not much known about this temple’s history. The structures in situ suggest that it
was created in the Late Ayutthaya period and renovated after Bangkok became the capital city. Wat Hantra is most closely associated with King Borommakot, who reigned from 1733-1758. King Borommakot ruled during a time of extended peace, so he dedicated soldiers and commoners with the task of renovation of many old temples. Much of this work was done in the northeastern part of the city.

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