Wat Yannasen or Wat Yan Sen วัดญาณเสน - Huge Ancient Chedi - Ayutthaya Thailand 2024

Wat Yannasen or Wat Yan Sen วัดญาณเสน

Wat Yan Sen is located on the north of the city island. It is situated east of the former Royal Palace near a few of the important sites.

Wat Yannasen is an active temple built on the boundaries of an ancient site. The modern facilities can be seen from the U-Thong Road entrance. The architectural structures from the ancient monastery are behind the modern site.

The most remarkable structure in site at this temple is its ancient chedi. It is designed in the Late Ayutthaya period architectural style. It is the same style as Chedi Sri Suriyothai.

This chedi as an entrance on the east side. The entrance is accesable by a large staircase.

There are arched porticos in each of the cardinal directions. Each portico is crowned with its own niche and chedi. The niches have all been bricked over except for an entrance on the eastern side.

The inner relic chamber is empty, but there is
a hole in the floor leading to a crypt below that is now sealed off. The spire has at least 49 rings and its harmika and finial are in good shape.

In addition, there are several small chedis on site. Two of which remain in relatively good condition (except for the multiple holes dug into them by looters). There are also traces of some of the old monastery walls.

There is not much known about Wat Yan Sen’s history. Wat Yan Sen would have been behind the city’s original walls before they were expanded.

This monastery probably had some type of connection to ancient elephant stables. Maps show that elephants and their mahouts were housed in the area between Wat Yan Sen to
Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak. Excavations revealed that a building on this site contained ropes for harnessing elephants.

Wat Yan Sen was situated along Khlong Nam Chiao, a canal that brought water from Khlong Mueang (the old Lopburi River) to Bueng Phra Ram. The water from this canal was regulated by a gate known as Pratu Tasibiay. A portion of the gate’s wall can still be seen along U-Thong Road near the front of this temple.

During the 1940s, many artifacts were discovered at this temple, including pottery and a Buddha image in the Lopburi style.

The chedi at this temple is well worth a short visit. The restored building is always locked up but it’s still nice to see the huge chedi.

Enjoy the video!