Rating: 3.8/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Luang Pho Klong Ubosot, Wat Thep Chan Loi is one of the lesser-known historical and spiritual attractions in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Although it lies outside the main tourist routes, the temple is rich in legends, local beliefs, and traces of a long and layered past. According to local tradition, Wat Thep Chan Loi dates back to the Ayodhya period, predating the formal establishment of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and was abandoned for several centuries with no monks residing there.

 

Local legends recount that Wat Thep Chan Loi was once an important temple in the early community. However, changes in geography and transportation routes gradually placed the temple outside the main waterways, which were the primary means of travel in the past. As a result, villagers referred to it as “Wat Nok,” meaning an outer or outlying temple, to distinguish it from other important temples in the same area, such as Wat Nakhon Luang and Wat Mai Prachumphon.

 

During the Ayutthaya period, when King Prasat Thong ordered the construction of Nakhon Luang in 2177 BE, it is believed that Wat Thep Chan Loi was restored around the same time. This restoration likely supported the expansion of nearby communities and the revival of religious sites throughout the Nakhon Luang district. A temple that had once fallen into ruin thus regained its role as a spiritual center for the local population.

 

The legend that gives Wat Thep Chan Loi its unique identity is the story of a floating stone shaped like a full moon. According to the tale, the stone drifted southward from the north, passed in front of Wat Nakhon Luang, and entered the canal near Wat Nok. The abbot at the time used three sacred threads to pull the stone ashore and enshrine it within the temple grounds. This event was regarded as an auspicious sign, and it became the origin of the temple’s name, “Wat Thep Chan Loi,” meaning “the temple of the floating divine moon,” a name that has endured to this day.

 

The Ubosot of Luang Pho Klong within the temple serves as the spiritual heart of Wat Thep Chan Loi. Luang Pho Klong is revered by local villagers as the principal Buddha image, embodying a sense of calm, simplicity, and quiet spiritual power. The atmosphere surrounding the temple is peaceful and unhurried, making it an ideal destination for visitors who wish to experience Ayutthaya from a perspective distinct from the well-known temples on the island city.

 

Getting There Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road) past the Phra In water gate, then merge onto Highway No. 32. Turn left onto Highway No. 309 toward Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. From the Asian Highway, pass the entrance to Ayutthaya city and continue toward Nakhon Luang District (in the direction of Ang Thong Province). When you reach the intersection with a sign pointing right to Nakhon Luang District, continue driving and turn right beneath the bridge. The temple will be located on the left-hand side.

 

 

A: According to local tradition, the temple dates back to the Ayodhya period and was later restored during the Ayutthaya era.

 

A: Luang Pho Klong is the principal Buddha image enshrined in the ubosot of Wat Thep Chan Loi and serves as a spiritual center of faith for the local community.