Wat Yansangwararam or Wat Yan,
for short, was completed in 1976, to commemorate King Naresuan the
Great (1590 - 1605) and King Tak Sin the Great (1767-1782). Both of
whom helped liberate the kingdom of Siam from Burmese oppression. Wat
Yan is also dedicated to the Supreme Patriarch, or head of the Thai
monastic order, Somdej Phra Yanasangworn. Later, in1982, it became a
Royal Wat under the King Bhumibol’s patronage who instituted a
new development programme. Over 27 billion baht is reputed to have been
spent building it.
Located
on a 7-hilled plot of 366 rai (146 acres), this wat complex must be one
of the most impressive Buddhist establishments in the world. Housed
amongst floral splendour, with lakes, carp-filled ponds and other water
features, there are a myriad of architectural styles including:
• a number of Buddhist wats
• a Khmer mandapa, containing a reproduction of the Lord Buddha’s footprint;
• a white, 40-metre tall chedi, housing relics of the Buddha and his disciples;
• a Swiss Chalet; and
• shrines of Indian and Japanese design;
• statues of King Rama VII and his wife, the Princess Mother;
• statues of 20 revered monks;
• wildlife preserves and breeding facilities;
• a school, and
• a hospital..
• Buddha Pada hill, accessed by 288 steps
Situated
approximately 15 kilometers south of Pattaya City, the temple, which
covers a total area of 146 acres, can be reached by turning left from
Sukhumvit Road at Km.160 marker. The temple was built in 1976 to pay
respect Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present Supreme Patriarch and was
later graciously admitted to be under the patronage of His Majesty the
King. The temple grounds is comprised of: a mondop (pavilion with four
gables) enshrining a replica of the Buddha's footprints, a large stupa
where the relics of the Lord Buddha and his disciples are enshrined,
Phra Yanaret Vihan and an international pavilion representing the
architecture of several countries.
