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Ayutthaya, Thailand
อยุธยา
^Thailand>Bangkok>
| Ayutthaya,
the ancient capital of Thailand, was established in 1350 A.D. by King
Ramathibodi I. The first Wat (temple) was built by King
Borommatrailokanat in 1448 A.D. to serve as a monastic area. This
was Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and was adjacent to the Royal Palace. Over
succeeding centuries, many temples were constructed until Ayutthaya was
sacked by invading Burmese in 1767 A.D. The invaders removed the
gold that had covered many Buddha images as well as other decorations in
the temples. Most of the temples, as seen today, are in a state of
ruin as they were neglected after the sacking of Ayutthaya. The
temples have now been stabilized and Ayutthaya serves as a historical
monument for the Thai people. (Histories adapted from documents of the Thailand
Department of Fine Arts.) |
|
Wat
Phra Chao Phya-thai, also known as Wat Yai Chai-mongkol, is situated to
the southeast of Ayutthaya.
The large chedi (stupa) there can be seen from a great distance.
This Monastery was built in 1357 A.D. by King U-Thong for monks who had
returned from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) after studying under a revered
master. This monastery was originally known as Wat Pa Kaeo.
After the king conferred the title of "Somdej Phra Vanarat"
("The Patriarch on the Right Hand Side") on the Vhead of the
sect, the monastery was named Wat Chao Phya-thai which means "The
Temple of the Supreme Patriarch". A large chedi or stupa (Thai
version of the Chinese pagoda) was built here by King Naresuen the Great
to celebrate his victory over a Burmese leader in hand-to-hand combat on
elephant back. The king built a second chedi named Phra Chedi
Chai-mongkol, or the Chedia of the Auspicious Victory, but it was
popularly known as Phra Chedi Yai, or the Great Pagoda. Later on
Chao Phya-thai also came to be known as Wat Yai Chai-mongkol.
Wikimapia location |
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วัดพระเชาไพยาไทยหรือวัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล |
The Ruins of Wat Phra
Chao Phya-thai (Wat Yai Chai-mongkol)
วัดพระเชาไพยาไทยหรือวัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล
|
| Wat
Chaiwatthanaram is one of the most imposing of ancient Buddhist
monasteries. It was established at the command of King Prasatthong
in 1630 A.D. and is believed to be located on the site of his former
home. It may have been built to make merit for the king's mother, although it
has been
noted that the architecture of this wat is similar to that of Angkor
Wat and it is possible that Chaiwatthanaram was built to commemorate
the King's victory over Cambodia. The wat consists of a main prang
(Khmer-type tower) and four lesser prangs built on the same base, all
surrounded by eight lesser prangs and a gallery. One hundred twenty
gilt lacquered Buddha images in the attitude of maravijaya, or Victory
over Mara, the Evil One, were placed in the gallery. Twelve crowned
Buddha images were placed within the eight lesser prangs.
The main prang,
standing 35 meters tall, is in the early Ayutthaya style while the four
lesser prangs are in the style of King Prasattong. The form of the
eight lesser prangs may have been taken from that of a royal cremation
tower that represents Mt. Meru, the center of the universe.
Wikimapia location
|
The Ruins of Wat Chaiwatthanaram
(also spelled Chai Watthanaram)
วัดไชยวัฒนาราม
|
Wat
Lokayasutharam is located near Wat Worapoh and Wat Worachettharam.
The primary feature of this wat is the huge reclining Buddha image, Phra
Budhasaiyart, located in the ruins of the viharn and facing towards the East. It was constructed of bricks
and cement in the Middle Ayutthaya Period and is 37 meters long and 8
meters high. The head is resting on a lotus and the legs overlap
squarely to show the equalized toes (a sign of enlightenment and beauty). The image was restored in 1954
and again in 1989.
Wikimapia location |
The Ruins of
Wat Lokayasutharam
วัดโลกสุธาราม
|
| Wat
Phra Si Sanphet was built in 1448 A.D. on the site which had served for
the royal palace from 1350 to 1448 spanning the reigns of King Ramathibodi
I to King Sam Phraya. King Borommatrailokanat ordered the wat built
to be utilized as a monastic area. His son, King Ramathibodi II
constructed two chedi, one to house the remains of his father and the
other for his brother, King Borommarachathirat III. A third chedi
was built by King Borommrachnophtthangkun for the remains of King
Ramathibodi II. A principal viharn (worship hall) was built in 1499
and, in 1500, King Ramathibodi II ordered the casting of a standing Buddha
image 16 meters high and covered with gold. This image was called
Phra Buddha Chao Si Sanphet and was the main object of veneration in the
royal viharn. From that time, the remains of all royal family
members were placed in small chedis built for that purpose on the site.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was
used as the royal chapel and, therefore, did not have a Sangavasa (a
dwelling for monks). The wat was used for various royal ceremonies
and rituals. When the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya in 1767. the gold
that covered the Buddha image and other decorations was stripped away and
taken by the invaders. King Rama I (1782-1809) transferred the core
of Phra Buddha Chao Si Sanphet to Wat Phra Cetuphon in Bangkok.
Wikimapia location |
The ruins of Wat Phra
Si Sanphet
วัดพระศรีศรรเพชญ์
|
| Wat
Mahathat was started in 1374 A. D. during the reign of King
Borommarachathirat I and finished during the reign of King Ramesuan
(1388-1395). The main prang collapsed during the reign of King
Songtham (1610-1628). The restoration of this prang was probably
completed during the reign of King Prasatthong (1630-1655) and the height
of the prang was increased at the same time.
The wat was restored
again during the reign of Kin Borommakot (1732-1758) and four porticos
were added to the main prang. The Wat was burned during the sacking
of Ayutthaya in 1767.
Wat Mahathat, a royal
monastery, served as the seat of the Sangaraja, the head of the Buddhist
monks of the Kamavasi Sect, since the time of the Mahathera Thammakanlayan
who built the Wat. This Wat at one time housed an unusual Buddha
image made of green stone and seated on a throne. The image was
moved to Wat Naphrameru in the Rattanakosin Period by King Rama III.
The main prang
collapsed again around 1911 and looters used the opportunity to dig for
treasure. In 1956, the Thailand Fine Arts Department excavated the
central area of the prang and recovered relics of the Buddha within a
seven-layer reliquary.
Wikimapia location |
The ruins of Wat
Mahathat
วัดมหาธาตุ
|
When
King Intharachathirat passed away in 1424 A.D., two of his sons, Chao Aye
Phraya who ruled Suphanburi and Chao Yi Phraya who ruled Sanburi, battled
over the accession to the throne. The battle took place at the
approach to the Pa-Than Bridge and resulted in the death of both contenders. A third son, Chao Sam Phraya, returned to Ayutthaya from
Phitsanulok and, after acceding to the throne, he organized a funeral for
his father and two brothers. Later he ordered the building of Wat
Ratchaburana at the site of the cremation. Two chedis were built on
the site of the fatal battle to hold the brothers' ashes.
Wikimapia location |
The ruins of Wat
Ratchaburana
วัดราชบูรฌะ
|
| Wat
Phra Ram may have been built in 1369 A.D. by King Ramesuen on the site
where the remains of his father, the King of U-thong, had been cremated.
However, since King Ramesuen reigned only one year, he could not have
completed the building. The Wat was either completed by King
Boromaraja I or that king may have permitted others to complete it. It is
also possible that the Wat was built during the second accession of King
Ramesuen after the death of Boromaraja I. The wat was renovated
several times, notably by King Boromatrailokanat and again in 1741 during the
reign of King Boromakot.
A large swamp lies in
front of the temple. This swamp appears to have existed before the
founding of the city and was called Nong Sano early on. The swamp
may have been enlarged when earth was removed for leveling sites for the
Royal Palace, Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Rajaburana and Wat Phra Ram. In
the Code of Palace Laws, the swamp is designated as "Bung Phra
Ram". The swamp is now planted with lotus and is very beautiful
during the blooming season.
Wikimapia location |
The ruins of Wat Phra
Ram
วัดพระราม
|
|
Wat Phukhao Thong is near Chedi Phukhao Thong which was build by the Burmese
King Bhueng Noreng after his conquest of Ayutthaya in 1767. The siege of
Ayutthaya lasted ten months. Chedi Phukhao Thong, at 80 meters (260 ft) is
one of the highest pagodas in Ayutthaya. The Wat itself consists of
several small chedi ruins and a small brick building that is just overgrown
walls. A modern building has been built on the platform of a larger
ancient temple, probably the Ordination Hall. All of this is incorporated
into Phukhao Thong Memorial Park which includes a the battlefield where then
Prince Naresuan defeated the Burmese after the death of King Bhueng Noreng.
Prince Naresuan ascended to the throne in 1590 after the death of King Maha
Thamamaracha.
Chedi Phukhao Thong Wikimapia location
Wat Phukhao Thong Wikimapia location |
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วัดภูเขาทองและเจดีย์ภูเขาทอง |
Wat Phukhao Thong and Chedi Phukhao Thong
วัดภูเขาทองและเจดีย์ภูเขาทอง |
อยุธยา |
อยุธยา |
Scenic
Photography by Gerry Gantt from Thailand, the land of Golden Wats.
All images Copyright © 2002-2008, all rights reserved.
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