Recommended temples to visit in Ayutthaya: Wat Mahaathat

Wat Mahaathat

According to the historical references, Wat Mahaathat temple, was built during the late 14^th centuries. The pagoda was built on the spot where the King Ramesuan saw the light of the  Buddha’s sarira (bone) shining and going up in to the sky. (Sarira has a shape of pearl or crystal beaded like object, which are found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist masters or Buddha).

Wat Mahaathat was one of the most important temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Not only it  was the temple where the Buddha’s sarira was stored, but it was also a center of many important royal ceremonies. Moreover, it was the resident of the head monk in the old days.

The top of the pagoda has been fallen down and renovated many times due to the wars. When the Ayutthaya Kingdom lost for the second time, this temple was burnt down and since then it has been abandoned. Nowadays, Fine Arts institution of Thailand has tried to save this ancient temple site.

The main pagoda (Phra prang) was a place where the Buddha’s sarira was stored. At the base of the Phra prang, there are many animal figures crafted such as lion, bear, peacock, bird, cow, wolf, buffalo and dragon. It is presumed that these animals refer to the story of  Himmavanta, a legendary forest in the hindu mythology.

In one of the sanctuaries of the temple, there is a Bodhi tree with large roots surrounding Buddha's head. Usually, the Fine Art Institution of Thailand prunes the roots, but it seems like this one is an exception. Wat Mahaathat has become a popular temple to visit among the tourists.

Interested in this tour? Visit www.ThailandSecretTour.com or email at info@thailandsecrettour.com

Recommended temples to visit in Ayutthaya: Wat Khunsan

Wat Khunsan

This is the home town area of the first king of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, Somdet - Phraputthayodfaa - Chulalook-mahaarat or as we know, the founder King of Bangkok. He was originally of Mon (Rman) race. Rman or Mon are one of the earliest ethnic groups to inhabit the area of which we know as Burma nowadays.

The story of this temple goes back to the mid 16^th century. King Naresuan was adopted by the Mon’s king, Hongswadee, when he was 9 years old due to the loss of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. By time, king Hongsawadee became afraid that king Naresuan would betray Burma. So he asked the knights Phraya Kiat and Phraya Raam to trap and arrested him. However, during that time both of them were students of the monk Mahaathen kan chong. As the monk was fond of King Naresuan, he brought the knights with him to the King Naresuan and informed him about the plan. King Naresuan saw that the Hongsawadee king was not a good person, because he did not follow the Buddhist principles as a good king should. So he announced a liberty in order to be free from the Hongsawadee king and Burma.

King Naresuan brought the knight with him to do civil service work in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Other of the knights, Phraya Kiat, established his home and family around the Wat Khunsan area. Time passed, the children and the heirs of him became also respected civil servants. One of them was the Phraputthayodfaa Chulalok, or the first king of the Rattanakosin Kingdom.

The pagoda is in bended position and outer layer of bricks has been built to protect the pagoda. Small Buddha statues crafted from sand stone have been damaged and only the lower body parts are left.

Renovation history

During the King Rama IV period, this temple had an on-going renovation. Before the renovation was nearly completed, the King Rama IV passed away and the renovation was suspended. Even though this temple has been registered as one of the ancient sights to be preserved, it is not taken care of anymore.  The villagers have invaded the area and established a small community. Once, it was a sex trade area in Ayutthaya also. Though nowadays there is no such thing anymore, the Fine Arts Institution of Thailand (Krom Silpaakorn) decided in 1993 to give up renovating the temple.

Interest in this tour? Visit www.ThailandSecretTour.com or email at info@thailandsecrettour.com for more information.