Wat Maha That, Ayutthaya province, Thailand

Wat Maha That, Ayutthaya, Thailand                                                                                                   

Wat Maha That is the royal temple that houses Buddha's relics.  The temple is located on the city island in the central part of Ayutthay.  It is situated in the east of The Royal Palace in Pratu Chai sub-district.  Phra Na Korn Sri Ayutthaya district, Phra Na Korn Sri Ayutthay Province.  

It is stated in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya that the construction of Wat Maha That's Main Pagoda (Prang) was started by King Borommaracha I in 1374 and completed in King Ramesuan's reign.  The Pagoda collapsed during King Songtham's reign and was renovated in 1633. after King Prasat Thong ascended to the throne.

At the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, the monastery was set on fire in the Burmese attack, The abandoned Pagoda fell in decay during the reign of King Rama VI.  Only the symmetrical base with staircases remains.

Wat Mahathat :  Reconstructed

Wat Mahathat was built in early Ayutthaya kingdom (early 20th century BE).  Due to its supremely important position, the temple was the object of constant attention, receiving occasional additions and restorations at the time.  for example, porticos were added to the main prang (Khmere - stylized stupa), in four cardinal directions around the closing years of Ayutthaya kingdom, supplemented by smaller, straggly stupas of varied size, interspersed among the bigger stupas.

The head of the sandstone buddha image

All that remains of this sandstone buddha image is part of its head, while the body has disappeared.  The head is in the style of the Ayutthaya period.  It lies beneath a bodhi tree beside the minor wihans.

Buddha's Head in Tree Roots

The head was once part of a sandstone Buddha image which fell off the main body onto the ground.  It was gradully trapped into the roots of a constandtly growing Bodhi tree.  The stone head has rather flat and wide facial structure with thick eyebrows and big eye lids, straight wide lip, and discernible lip edge, reflecting the art of Middle Ayutthaya Period, presumably around the mid of 1600s.

credit :  sign board Wat Maha That

Wat Phanan Cheong Worawihan, Ayutthaya

Wat Phanan Cheong Worawihan, Phra Buddha Trirattana Nayok    

Wat Phanan Choeng has been built before the establishment of Ayutthaya as the capital city. Buddha image “Phra Buddha Trirattana Nayok” (Luang Pho Tho) image cast in B.E. 1324, the statue is 19 meters high

Phra Buddha Trirattana Nayok (Luang Pho Tho)

Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan is lacated in Khlong Suan Plu Sub-district Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya

Wat Mahathat, Ayutthay

Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya is located in front of the Grand Palace to the east, next to Pa Than Bridge. The temple is believed to be one of Ayutthaya’s oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I (1370-88). Its central prang, of which only the base remains, once rose to a height of 165 feet. Traces of the original stucco decorations can still be seen on some of the surrounding chedis.

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon

Wat Na Phra Meru

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Ayutthaya

Wat yai Chaimongkhon, Ayutthaya

constructed in King U Thong's era. housing a pagoda built by King Naresuan the Great to commemorate his victory over a Burmese king.

Wat Na Phra Meru, Ayutthaya

This temple was constructed during the reign of King Ramadhibodi II, the tenth king of the Ayutthya dynasty. It was the place used for signing a peace accord between Tabengchaveti, the King of Burma, and Somdet Phramahchakraphat, the fifteenth King of Ayutthaya.

In 2303 B.E., Alongphaya, a Burmese king, had invaded Ayutthaya and installed his canons in this temple to fire shells on the royal palace, which caused destruction to the palace. On the very same day, a canon burst and badly hurt the Burmese king ae king and resulis death later on.

In its chapel Wat Naphrameru houses a Buddha image in seated posture in royal dress depicting the Lord Buddha as a prince before he gained enlightenment. This type of Buddha image is seldom seen. This image is 6 meters high and 4.40 meters in width.

credit : the documents from the Department of Fine Arts

Wihan Noi or Wihan Kian, apart from its front and back porches, this Wihara is roofed with Thai tiles. The gable is carved into the imitations of flower and birds, ornamented with gold and stained glass. The timber door is carved in Kanok pattern. The mural inside depicting the story of Jatakas and argosy-trading. This Wihara houses a Dvaravadi Buddha Image in European Fashion gesture that is a green stone Buddha image.