The Ayutthaya Historical Park/
Sukhothai Historical Park
(Thai: อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา) covers the ruins of the old city of Ayutthaya, Thailand. The city of Ayutthaya was founded by King Ramathibodi I in 1350 and was the capital of the country until its destruction by the Burmese army in 1767.
In 1969 the Fine Arts Department began with renovations of the ruins, which became more serious after it was declared a historical park in 1976. A part of the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Thirty-five kings ruled the Ayutthaya kingdom during its existence. King Narai (1656 CE to 1688 CE) not only held court in Ayutthaya but also from his palace in the nearby city of Lopburi, from where he ruled 8–9 months in the year.
Park sites:
• Wat Chaiwatthanaram
• Wat Kasatrathiraj
• Wat Kudi Dao
• Wat Lokayasutharam
• Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
• Wat Phanan Choeng
• Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bopit (Bronze Buddha)
• Wat Phra Ram
• Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
• Wat Ratchaburana, Ayutthaya
• Wat Chai Mongkhon
• Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
• Phra Chedi Suriyothai
• Ayutthaya historical Study Centre
• Japanese Settlement
• Wat Phu Khao Thong
• Elephant Camp
See map HERE
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wat Mahathat
or Mahathat Temple(Thai: วัดมหาธาตุ) is the most important and impressive temple in Sukhothai Historical Park. The temple’s name translates to “temple of the great relic”. The temple was founded by Sri Indraditya, between 1292 and 1347 as the main temple of the city as well as the Sukhothai Kingdom.
The design based on Mandala, representing the universe with main principal stupa, built in 1345 to enshrine relics of the Buddha, surrounded by smaller stupas in eight directions.
The main stupa has the graceful shape of a lotus bud, which characterizes the Sukhothai architectural arts. Its base is adorned with 168 stuccoed sculptings of Buddhist disciples walking with their hands clasped together in salutation.
The eight smaller stupas, of which the four at the corners are in Mon Haripunchai - Lanna style and the four in between show Khmer influence. At both sides of the main stupa has two 9 metre tall standing Buddha images called Phra Attharot (Thai: พระอัฏฐารส). The temple also comprises assembly hall (vihara), mandapa, ordination hall and 200 subodinate stupas.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arriving to the Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Many people coming to have a look at the Buddha in the tree
Our Guide
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
There is no end to the excitement
Some girls passing by
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Wat Maha That (Buddha in the tree)
Excitements for as long as I can see
Most Buddha’s missing the heads because the Burmese took them hundreds of years ago
Most Buddha’s missing the heads because the Burmese took them hundreds of years ago
What is this? Seems to be some action, finally!
Yes, the main attraction
Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit
Seated Buddha Damaged and then repaired when the original viharn collapsed in the 18th century, this giant Buddha stood in the open for the next 200 years. One of the largest in Thailand, it was sculpted, according to the site guidebook, in 1538 at Wat Chichiang.
The original viharn (image hall) of Phra Mongkol Bophit was built in 1610, and damaged when its roof collapsed in 1767. This is a modern replacement, built in 1951 to shelter the Buddha image inside.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We stop at Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit and we depart again @ 12:20
Our Guide explains something
Toilet of the year in Ayutthaya - For 6 years
Toilet of the year in Ayutthaya - For 6 years
Entrance to the Bronze Buddha
We have to take off our shoes
Wang Luang - Royal Palace
Wang Luang - Royal Palace