The most prominent feature of Wat Phu Khao Thong, or Temple of Golden Mountain, is the marvelous square-based stupa. The temple is thought to be established by King Ramesuan in 1387, built to commemorate victory over the Burmese army. The temple grounds also consist of an active monastery in the vicinity. Continue reading
Category Archives: Ayutthaya
Wat Lokayasutharam @ Ayutthaya, Thailand
Basked in sunlight by day, moonlight by night, the reclining Buddha, “Phra Buddhasaiyart”, draped in yellow cloth at 37 m long sleeps peacefully on a lotus pillow. While Wat Lokayasutharam is categorized as a temple, the temple grounds are barely visible. Continue reading
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit @ Ayutthaya, Thailand
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit is a fully restored temple since 1957 with history that dates back to the 1600’s. It enshrines one of the largest Buddha statue in Thailand- Phra Mongkhlon Bophit, with a total height of 16.95 meters tall. It is located right next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet so the two places can be visited together in one go. Continue reading
Wat Chaiwatthanaram @ Ayutthaya, Thailand
Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a temple in Ayutthaya built in 1630 built by King Prasat Thong. Like many of the other temples in Ayutthaya, it was looted by the Burmese in the 1760’s. Although in ruins too, I do find the extent of destruction is less and it feels more complete as compared to other temple ruins such as Wat Mahathat.
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet @ Ayutthaya, Thailand
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was originally a temple built in 1448 by King Boromatrailokanat, enshrining a 16 m tall Buddha statue made of gold. When the Burmese invaded the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1766, the temple could not escape its fate of being ransacked. Continue reading
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace, Thailand
Visiting the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace wasn’t part of my plan. The tuk tuk driver pointed to his DIY well-illustrated map and asked if I wanted to go to go to the Elephant Palace. I thought the place seemed close enough so might as well. Continue reading
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol @ Ayutthaya, Thailand
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is an ancient royal monastery in Ayutthaya built in 1357. The monastery was destroyed by the Burmese in 1766 and only re-established again in 1957. Continue reading
Wat Mahathat @ Ayutthaya, Thailand
The Buddha’s head cradled in intertwining tree roots is a compelling and evocative image at Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya Historical Park. My father even thought the two are one entity and when I showed him the picture, he asked me “how did the tree roots grow into the shape of a Buddha’s face?” Continue reading