Wat Racha Burana at par with Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phutthai Sawan and Wat Maha
That, followed the Khmer concept of temple construction, and are as thus very similar
to each other. We find nearly identical, but earlier built structures at Angkor. Phnom
Bakheng, Preah Rup, East Mebon, Baphuon and Ta Keo were all Temple Mountains,
consisting of a central tower surrounded by four corner towers, forming a quincunx; the
latter also often was surrounded by a courtyard and a gallery. All temples in the early
period of the establishment of Ayutthaya were Khmer styled, consisting primary of
laterite structures and bricks, enhanced with stucco.
Wat Racha Burana was initially built as a basic quincunx surrounded by a covered
gallery. At a later stage the monastic structure was expanded with a vihara and ubosot in
an east-west axis. The vihara became partly incorporated into the gallery, while the
ordination hall stood isolated on the western side. The monastery was surrounded by
water, a symbolic representation of the oceans surrounding Mount Meru (represented by
the prang). The complex faced Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak to its east and another Lopburi
oxbow shortcut canal to the west (name not known by author).
Only the walls and foundations remain of the royal vihara. The main entry was in the east,
leading to an elevated porch. The structure could also be accessed by different entries on
the sides. The walls were windowless, having vertical slit openings, bringing ventilation
and providing at the same time a diffused light into the inside. The vihara had a wooden
multi-tiered roof structure, which collapsed (burned down). The eaves were supported
by pillars with a lotus motif. [6]
The ubosot or ordination hall stood in the west, isolated from the gallery. The hall was
accessed via an elevated porch. There were two entries in the west and two in the rear,
one on each lateral side.
The prang of Wat Racha Burana was still in fairly good condition and could be restored.
The prang, representing the cosmic Mount Meru, is located in the middle of the ancient
compound and is built on an indented pedestal protruding towards the north and south,
resulting in a wing-like formation, which was characteristic for prangs of the early
Ayutthaya period. The “cella” or central small hall inside the prang containing the crypt,
can be accessed through a porch directed towards the east, by climbing the steep stairs
leading to the entry of the porch. The prang has three staircases on the east, north and
south side. Over the cubic “cella” rises the central tower, the bud-shaped prang. The
“cella” housed a Buddha image. On the lowest level of the top-part of the prang are
decorated Garuda and Naga sculptures still visible.
The two-level crypt under the cella can be reached via a narrow staircase built in 1958
by the FAD. It is warm inside the crypt and the descent is not recommended for people
with claustrophobia. The upper chamber is a three meter square room with nearly faded
murals depicting Chinese people. Some Chinese characters can still be recognized. The
lower cell is so small that only a single person can enter at a time. The murals here are
still fairly visible, depicting Buddha with his disciples, trees and birds and some floral art
work. Some parts of the pictures were gilded. The badly restored ceiling bears also large
tracts of paint.