About : Wat Mahathat
Wat Na Phra That or Wat Maha That is believed to have been built during the 12th century prior to Ayutthaya’s establishment to house the Buddha’s relics. According to ancient Thai tradition, Wat Mahathat represented the city centre as it enshrined relics of the Buddha. Thus, we found temples called Wat Maha That in several important cities around Thailand.
The principal stupa or prang was found to be the moral precept of the first stupa in Southeast Asia that was influenced by ancient Khmer art and architecture consisting of the laterite structures and bricks. This unique blend of the Thai stupa called Prang Maha That and ancient Khmer art would be seen only in Thailand.
During the early Ayutthaya era, Wat Maha That was considered as the important religious focal point 1 in 5 “Centre of the City” where the Buddha’s relics were housed and the residence of the Supreme Patriarch or leader of the Thai Buddhist monks. At that time, the temple was the venue of important royal ceremonies and celebrations. Later King Borommatrailokkanat, he ordered a new establishment of Wat Pra Si Sanphet and from then on the centre of the city was moved to Wat Pra Si Sanhpet instead.
If you look closely, you will find several intriguing structures from many periods of restorations. This shows us that the temple has been considered a very important sacred place in Thai history. It is a shame that the main prang collapsed during the King Ramesuan era, but was restored. It collapsed again during King Rama V the Great’s reign (1904), so only the foundations of the main prang remain at present.
From the excavations at Wat Maha That, the relics of the Buddha were found and were safely placed in the seven-layered casket buried in the main chamber of the principal prang. The secret chamber was uncovered in the ruins; among the treasures found inside were gold jewellery, a gold casket containing a relic of the Buddha, and fine objects. The treasures found are now displayed at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. As time has passed, the principal prang now does not have much remaining, but the brick details at the four sides of the base indicates that this temple was built by the Ayothaya architects who were influenced by the ancient Bayon architectural art at that time.
Wat Mahathat consisted basically of a large central prang located in the front of the compound and surrounded by four subsidiary prangs at the four inter-cardinal points, standing on a raised square platform. The Ubosot was placed in the far back of the compound. This typical layout structure giving the wihan more prominence than the ubosot indicates that this temple was established in the early Ayutthaya period. The temple’s prang was also built at 60 metres high, considered one of the old city’s most impressive edifices. This layout also influenced the Buddhist temples built in later periods.
Don’t miss some important remains of variously shaped prangs and chedis that were built and restored by various kings in different periods, in particular the octagonal style chedis with a truncated spire in the Ceylonese style, and the Lanna-influenced bell-shaped chedi. Nearby at the small wihan, another famous highlight that you will have seen in a postcard is the head of the Buddha in the ancient tree trunk and roots growing around it. With its picturesquely ruined stupas, Wat Mahathat is a great place to be at sunset.
(source : Brochure >> The dawn of the Ayutthaya kingdom ,Tourism Authority of Thailand)
Location : Wat Mahathat
Ayutthaya ,Thailand.
Go to destination : Wat Mahathat
Arrival : Wat Mahathat
(Date taken : Dec 8,2015)
No.1 : The Octagonal Chedi
No.2 : Buddha's Head in Tree Roots
No.3 : Wihan Luang (The Grand Hall)
No.4 : Ordination Hall (Ubosot)
No.5 : Main Pagoda (Main Prang)
The beauty of sculpture, architecture at other areas.
This is one place you should not miss to visit.Enjoy your trip.
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