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Wat Kudi Dao

วัดกุฎีดาว

8 story sections

Buddhist temple ruins in Ayutthaya province, Thailand

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Wat Kudi Dao

    Welcome to Wat Kudi Dao, translating evocatively to the Monastery of the Star. Situated just outside the main city island to the east, this temple is a masterpiece of late Ayutthaya architecture and one of the most enigmatic…

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  2. 2The Royal Residence: Tamnak Kaman Lain

    We begin our exploration just outside the main temple walls at a highly unusual structure known as the Tamnak Kaman Lain, or the Royal Residence. This expansive, two-story building was specifically constructed to house the…

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  3. 3The Outer Walls and Entrance Archways

    Let us step through the grand entrance into the sacred Phutthawat, or the Buddha's enclosure. The perimeter wall of Wat Kudi Dao is exceptionally well preserved compared to many other sites. …

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  4. 4The Colossal Viharn and Giant Columns

    We now face the Viharn, the main prayer hall, facing west toward the setting sun. This structure is an absolute triumph of late Ayutthayan engineering. …

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  5. 5The Fallen Principal Chedi

    Directly behind the Viharn lies the tragic, romantic ruin of the principal Chedi. Originally a soaring, bell shaped stupa exhibiting classical Mon architectural influences, the structure suffered a catastrophic collapse. …

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  6. 6The Legend of Pu Som Fao Sap

    Let us move to the shaded area behind the main ruins, where the atmosphere grows decidedly tense. Here we encounter the shrine dedicated to Pu Som Fao Sap, the legendary guardian of the treasure. …

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  7. 7Prince Bira's Excavation and the Curse

    To understand the modern terror associated with Wat Kudi Dao, we must recount the famous historical incident involving Prince Bira—a Western-educated member of the Thai royal family and famous race car driver—in the nineteen…

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  8. 8Wat Kudi Dao

    Our journey through the architectural majesty and chilling folklore of Wat Kudi Dao comes to a close. This site is a profound study in duality. …

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What is Wat Kudi Dao?

Wat Kudi Dao is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates14.3632, 100.5901
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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