Dhamma Path Blog: Discover Wat Kruttaram: The Sacred Temple of Phaya Krut (Garuda) in Ayutthaya

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Discover Wat Kruttaram: The Sacred Temple of Phaya Krut (Garuda) in Ayutthaya - Thailand.

Wat Kruttaram is an important Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand, known for its strong association with the worship of Phaya Krut - Garuda. The temple dates back to the period of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and reflects the religious traditions and artistic influences of that era. Wat Kruttaram was abandoned for a long period in past. However, in recent years the temple has been restored and revived. Today, Wat Kruttaram has become an active religious site once again, attracting many visitors and devotees who come to pray and pay respect, especially to Phaya Krut ~ Garuda. The revival of the temple has helped restore its cultural and spiritual significance within the historic city of Ayutthaya.

Wat Kruttaram is especially famous for its connection to Phaya Krut, the Thai representation of Garuda. Phaya Krut ~ Garuda is a powerful mythical bird-like creature that symbolizes strength, protection, and royal authority in Thai culture. Because of this symbolism, Garuda imagery is widely used in Thailand and is closely linked to the monarchy and national identity. The temple contains prominent statues and images of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda, making it a unique religious site where visitors and devotees pay respect to this legendary figure. These artistic elements highlight the influence of Hindu-Buddhist mythology in Thai religious art and demonstrate how mythological symbols were integrated into temple architecture during the Ayutthaya period. Today, Wat Kruttaram remains a culturally significant site where visitors can learn about the role of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda in Thai mythology and appreciate the historical heritage of Ayutthaya. The temple continues to attract both pilgrims and tourists interested in Thai history, religion, and mythology.

The main prayer hall at Wat Kruttaram is a wooden building that houses sacred religious images. At the front of the hall stands a renowned statue of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda, which attracts many visitors and devotees who come to pray and seek blessings.

Feeling blessed after praying and taking a photo with the sacred Phaya Krut ~ Garuda at Wat Kruttaram. Many Visitors feel blessed after praying and also taking photos with the sacred Phaya Krut ~ Garuda at Wat Kruttaram, a powerful symbol of protection and strength.

This closer view highlights the finest details of the colourful statue of Phaya Krut ~ Garuda at Wat Kruttaram, an impressive symbol of strength, protection, and royal power in Thai culture. This Phaya krut ~ Garuda statue official name is Phaya Krut Song Mahitthanuphap (a powerful Garuda figure) for worship.

The Bell Tower of Wat Kruttaram, with the temple building located behind it. Below have a storage jars mainly for water called "Nang Loeng".

This building is the kuti, the living quarters for monks at Wat Kruttaram, where they reside and carry out their daily monastic activities. Have many antique storage jars at the front kuti building. Wat Kruttaram stood in the center of a community which basic occupation was to mold large storage jars mainly for water called "Nang Loeng" translated as "Large Ladies". After molding, the jars were dried and then fired following open bon fire techniques.

This wooden prayer hall at Wat Kruttaram houses a modest altar where a sacred image of the Phra Buddha is respectfully enshrined, reflecting the temple’s simple and peaceful atmosphere.

This is the temple amulet counter at Wat Kruttaram, where devotees can receive blessed amulets as spiritual protection and good fortune.

Photos showing a batch of sacred amulets consecrated at Wat Kruttaram for devotees and visitors.

A photo taken inside the main prayer hall of Wat Kruttaram, featuring the peaceful and sacred Phra Buddha altar where devotees offer prayers.

A designated seat for a monk to give blessings and sacred chants to visitors at Wat Kruttaram, together with additional photos of amulet batches that were ceremonially consecrated at the temple.

An old Ubosot building can still be seen at Wat Kruttaram, serving as a reminder of the temple’s historical past and its religious significance in Ayutthaya.

A white Chedi stands in front of the old Ubosot at Wat Kruttaram, with rows of small Phra Buddha statues beautifully arranged around the base of the Chedi.

At the entrance of the Ubosot of Wat Kruttaram stand white bronze statues of the Phra Buddha, creating a serene and sacred atmosphere for visitors entering the hall.

The core narrative of Wat Kruttaram centers on “the founding of the temple and its principal Phra Buddha image”. Public accounts say an inscription at the Ubosot records that the temple was established during the reign of Somdet Phra Thinang Suriyasin Amarin (King Ekkathat) around BE2302 and that the principal Phra Buddha image inside the Ubosot was created at the same time. The image is described as a white sandstone Phra Buddha in the Mara-Vijaya posture, with dimensions recorded in the traditional craft-and-commission style of that era. There is also information that the temple received a royal boundary (wisungkhamsima) around BE2306. Together, these details frame Wat Kruttaram as a temple that was formally established not long before the fall of Ayutthaya. After the Second Fall of Ayutthaya, the temple is said to have entered a period of abandonment, before later restoration brought it back as a living temple again.

The feature most visitors remember is the principal Phra Buddha image commonly called Luang Pho Khrut Buddha. The widely told local story says that at one time, thieves cut off and stole the Buddha’s head. When the community learned what had happened, they wanted to repair the image and began searching for a replacement head. By chance, a Buddha head was found that could be fitted perfectly back onto the body. What made the name “Luang Pho Khrut” stick is the explanation that the mouth of the found head had a shape likened to a “garuda beak” (“pak krut”), echoing the temple’s name. When you stand close to the image, the sense of sacredness here doesn’t come only from dramatic storytelling. It also comes from the shared feeling that the community “brought the temple back” after a painful incident and returned what was damaged to a state worthy of worship once more.

Inside the Ubosot at Wat Kruttaram is the sacred space where monks perform ritual ceremonies to bless and consecrate batches of temple amulets for devotees.