Phrathat Yaku is an octagonal-shaped chedi, made of bricks and constructed across three periods:
The pedestal was constructed in a redented (saw tooth) square shape, with staircases at the four cardinal directions and decorated with stucco, built during the Dvaravati period.
The upper pedestal was an octagonal structure, built on top of the original one and supporting an old chedi of the Ayutthaya period.
The body and the top were created in the Rattanakosin period.
There are boundary stones with bas-reliefs around the chedi depicting the life of the Lord Buddha.
Legend has it that when Mueang Chiang Som won the battle for Fa Daet Song Yang they destroyed everything except for Phrathat Yakhu which is why the Phrathat is still in reasonable condition today.
The remains of five square brick structures (bases only) in various states of repair are still visible in a north-south direction south of the chedi. Boundary or perimeter stones, known as semas, are positioned around the chedi.
- Brick base to the south of the chedi.
- Semas around the chedi.
- A sema (upright boundary stone).
- One of the remaining bases to the south of the chedi.
- It is difficult to discern if this portion of the structure was repaired when general refurbishment was carried out in the 1930s. The bricks have not been cemented as in other parts of the base.
- Semas at the northern end of the phrathat.
- The mortar between the bricks is an obvious sign of refurbishment.
- The structure is falling into disrepair. While the pavement has been refurbished with mortar (and possibly relaid) it is uneven.
- The chedi at Phrathat Yakhu.
- Semas
- The chedi.
- One of the five bases aligned north-south to the south of the chedi.
- The base is in a poor state, possibly as a result of flooding before mitigation measures were put in place in 1982.
- Entrance.
- Crumbling brickwork on a one way journey.
- Attempts have been made at refurbishment, however, it is likely too late.
Reference:
11042-Wat Ku Mithila and Phrathat Yakhu Day Trip
© Kim Epton 2024
373 words, 16 photographs.
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