Phra Maha Chedi Si Ratchakan

Phra Maha Chedi Sisanphetchadayan was built in the reign of King Rama I.

were erected in the reign of King Rama III.

Masonry with colored glazed porcelain decoration

Phra Maha Chedi Sisanphetchadayan, Phra Maha Chedi Dilokthammakaroknitan and Phra Maha Chedi Munibatborikhan are all Chedi Songkhrueang of redented Chedi on a redented tiered pedestal which achieved its popularity during the reign of King Rama 3 with some distinctive artistic traits of those of the late Ayutthaya period as follows: the lower architectural elements include multi-tiered pedestals with lion-legged corners (Than Singha or lion bases) and Bua Khlum or lotus petal mouldings. The Gharbhaya (hemispherical domes) in shape of a bell with four-redented corners, and superimposed lotus petal mouldings, conical spires, single bead mouldings, and upmost conical spires. All of the architectural elements are adorned with glazed porcelain and pottery with different patterns. Phra Maha Chedi Sisanphetchadayan is ornamented with green glazed pottery, Phra Maha Chedi Dilokthammakaroknitan is decorated with white glazed porcelain, and Phra Maha Chedi Munibatborikhan is adorned with yellow glazed pottery. The Chedi erected by King Rama IV ทรงสร้าง a redented Chedi, decorated with deep blue glazed porcelain. This type of Chedi had been popular since the mid-Ayutthaya period onwards.

Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhararam or Wat Pho boasts its abundance of exquisite Chedi Songkhrueang, namely redented bell-shaped Chedi or Stupa on multi-tiered, redented pedestal with full decoration. A group of Chedi in this temple is prominent, that is, Phra Maha Chedi Si Ratchakan or the kings’ four Great Chedi. The Chedi ensemble consists of four Chedi as follows; the first one, Phra Maha Chedi Sisanphetchadayan, was built in the reign of King Rama I in order to cover a Buddha Image called Phra Sisanphet which was a prominent Buddha Image in the Ayutthaya period. The 16 metre-tall standing Buddha was transferred from Wat Phrasisanphet in Ayutthaya. Phra Maha Chedi Sisanphetchadayan is considered as the royal Chedi of King Rama I. The second Chedi in the ensemble is Phra Maha Chedi Dilokthammakaroknitan erected in the reign of King Rama III and dedicated to his Somdet Phra Prathom Borommahachanok. This monument is the royal Chedi of King Rama II. The next Chedi is Phra Maha Chedi Munibatborikhan, built in the reign of King Rama II as offerings to the Buddha, which is the royal Chedi of King Rama III. The last Chedi is a great Chedi decorated with deep blue glazed porcelain. King Rama IV commissioned to build it in imitation of the Chedi at Wat Suanluang Sopsawan or Chedi Sisuriyothai in Ayutthaya. When the construction of the fourth edifice was nearly completed, King Rama IV privately told Prince Chulalongkorn that creating more Chedi at Wat Phrachetuphon was somewhat similar to counting and building one monument for the late kings. Should it become a tradition, there would not be enough room for the next kings. It was The late kings and himself used to see one another, so erecting their memorial chedi together is a sensible thing to do. Yet, new royal chedi should not be built here.

Chedi Songkhrueang in the Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin Arts, Chedi Sisuriyothai in Ayutthaya Province

พระราชวิจารณ์ในพระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัวเรื่องจดหมายเหตุความทรงจำของกรมหลวงนรินทรเทวี (เจ้าครอกวัดโพ). กรุงเทพฯ : แสงดาว, 2552.

ศานติ ภักดีคำ. สถาปัตย์วัดโพธิ์. กรุงเทพฯ : อมรินทร์พริ้นติ้งแอนด์พับลิชชิ่ง, 2552.