Wat Yai Chai Mongkol was built by Ayutthaya King U-thong in the year 1357
A group of monks who have been studying under Phra Vanarat Maha Thera in Ceylon. When they returned the king build Wat Yai Chai Mongkol so that they had a place to stay.
The monks who were mainly engaged in meditation belonged to a sect called “Pa Kaeo”, and therefore the Wat was originally named Wat Pa Kaeo.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is considered one of the most important temples in Ayutthaya.
The Wat is located a few kilometers southeast of Ayutthaya, in the Phai Ling sub-district. If you want to visit the Wat, it is open daily until 6 pm.
You will find numerous Chedis, one of them Phra Chedi Chaimongkhon, was built by King Naresuan the Great as a memorial for his victory over King Maha Uparacha of Burma.
If you are in the Ayutthaya area, maybe after visiting Banf Pa-In, then a visit in the late afternoon at Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, is a good idea.
The pictures I have from the temple and you see on this page, are some years old, however, I am sure they are up to date as the temple is very old and no changes have been made for many years.
Next time I pass Ayutthaya, I will visit the tremple one more time and get more of the history and more pictures, sign up for my newsletter and you will be informed when the page about Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is updated.
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