S53-6

Khao Leng: the Significant Evidence of North Star in Dvaravati Period

The Fine Arts Department, Thailand

When passing through the large, moated ancient city of Si Thep onto the plains of the Pa Sak Basin in Phetchabun, the tallest mountain in the neighborhood Khao Tamorat is a clearly visible landmark on the west side of the Pa Sak River. When viewed from the axis of Si Thep facing west, it is clear that the position of Khao Tamorat was significant in the planning of the city. Turning east, the same axis points to Khao Phanomdom in Chaiyaphum. This line or direction was created by applying the Vastu Shastra and Vaastu Talismans on the west-east axis from Khao Tamorat, and passing through Si Thep to Khao Phanomdom. The axis passes directly through the monument no.0352/1. This point is known as “Bindu” or centre of origin. Facing up from here, one sees Khao Leng mountain, above which the North star is visible. So, the north axis is drawn through Bindu to the south. Thus, the name Khao Leng has remained the same for thousands of years. The linear axes are orientated to the natural form of the mountainous landmarks while the Bindu is placed at the center to create a cross and trigon or triadic plan, a phenomena of the universe. Dot and line or Bindu and Yantra are the procession of the world and universe and reflected here together, at the position and landmark to a modified world and universe in the form of “Mandala”. Hence Dvaravati Mandala might have initially been created at Si Thep, and named as Sri Dvaravati.