Aranyik, which simply means 'forest', is the name given to an area immediately north of Kampaeng Phet's city walls which encompasses a small hill. The hill is covered with the remains of many temples. There are easily more than a dozen in all, although most are little more than a few stone platforms. There is a tradition in Buddhism of 'forest temples' where one removes himself from the distractions of the city to contemplate dharma (truth), and there are forest temples all around Thailand, but the concentration at Kampaeng Phet is rather unique.
Map of Aranyik - the Forest Temple Area of Kampaeng Phet
Aranyik now comprises one of the two historic zones of Kampaeng Phet. There are two entrances where you can access the park, and purchase a ticket if necessary. The southern entrance is closer to the city, while just inside the northern entrance is a large information center with several displays and multi-media presentations about the history of Kampaeng Phet.
Bicycles may be rented at either of the entrances to get around the large park area. While there are dozens of ruins, there are only about half a dozen that have enough remains to be really worth seeing. You can take a more or less circular tour through the forest to see the main sights.
The main hall of Wat Awat Yai, flanked by a row of small pagodas Wat Awat Yai is at the northern end of the Aranyik area, near the north entrance and the information center. Like most of the other temples, it is dated to the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries. As was typical for temples of its day, the temple had a large platform which supported the main prayer hall (wiharn) and behind this was a tall bell-shaped pagoda (chedi).
The ruins of the main pagoda of Wat Chang Rop Wat Chang Rop sits at the highest point of the small hill of Aranyik. It features the remains of what must have been a massive pagoda (chedi). The bell-shaped chedi is almost completely gone, but the high base it sat on still remains. The base is more than twice the height of a man and is decorated with 68 elephant sculptures which protrude out of the wall.
The ruins of the main hall of Wat Kru Si Hong Like most of the ruins of the Aranyik, the original name of this temple is unknown. It is one of the oldest temples of the area, dating to the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries. None of the remaining structures is all that impressive on its own, but the temple must have been quite extensive in its day, so the site as a whole is quite interesting, especially given the thick covering of trees all over the grounds.
Wat Phra Non is the first large temple you come to if entering the Aranyik area from the south. The temple probably dates from the fifteenth or sixteenth century. The principle ruins include a large raised platform where the ordination hall (ubosot) once stood, a very solid prayer hall (wiharn), and a bell-shaped pagoda (chedi).
The ruins of Wat Phra Non's ordination hall Both the ordination hall and the chapel display the remains of large columns fashioned from a single block of stone.
The standing Buddha image at Wat Phra Si Iriyabot Wat Phra Si Iriyabot is the next large temple you'll come to north of Wat Phra Non. It's a bit different that many of the other temples in the Aranyik forest area. Firstly, instead of a large bell-shaped pagoda, there was a large square-shaped structure at the back of the main hall. On each side of a massive central pillar was a Buddha image in a different position.
Wat Singh as seen from the eastern entrance. Located just north of Wat Phra Si Iriyabot, Wat Singh also dates from the fifteenth or sixteenth century. The name comes from some lion (singh) statues found 'guarding' the entrances. For the most part, nobody knows what the original names of the temples in the Aranyik were. Most of the modern names are derived from elements found at the temple which suggested a name to those who made the first archaeological analysis.
