Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the important temples of Ayutthaya Historical Park. The temple is located on the west bank of river Chao Phraya River. This temple is said to have been built by King Prasatthong in 1630 AD as a homage to his mother. The temple’s name literally means the temple of long reign and glorious era. The temple is in original Khmer style. The whole construction stands on a rectangular platform. About halfway up, there are hidden entrances with steep stairs. The central platform is surrounded by eight towers. These are called Meru Thit Meru Rai. These are tall Shikhar type structures. They had paintings on the interior walls, the exterior was decorated by 12 reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. The big “Prang Prathan” 35 mt tall stands in the centre, symbolising the mountain Meru.
The temple faced vandalism and looting after being abandoned, and was encroached by people. The Fine Arts Department of Thailand started restoring it as late as in 1987 with World Monument Funds. The World Monument Fund (WMF) has suggested conservation with the help of University students of respective subjects. They selected students for internship, who worked at the temple site throughout summer vacation with the project team and experts.
This is the best model to be emulated by the Indian Universities. National Education Policy 2020 demands involvement of students in the form of Internship or on Job Trainings (OJT). Each temple is still the place for experiential learning. The sculptures on the facades, the construction technology of the temple, stones and other materials of construction, spaces designed, activities and many other aspects of the temple can be a learning aid for students of various subjects. Multidisciplinary learning is the requirement of New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Ancient temple sites of Bharat or outside Bharat are waiting to lend their knowledge, we need to reach them with open heart and mind in the systematic format of NEP 2020.
