Ayutthaya.
The capital of Thailand around 1350-1767, located in the valley of the Chao Phraya River. It remained an important city of Thailand for 417 years during which an abundance of palaces and temples were constructed as a sign of its economic success. The ruins of temples and palaces of Ayutthaya, whether naturally worn by time or destroyed by activities of war with the Burmese, are a reflection of a golden and glorious past.
These are some of the pictures of temples we took from our tour...
These are some of the pictures of temples we took from our tour...
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. According to our tour guide, "Wat" in Thai means temple. So this is the first of four temples that we were going to see in a series of ruined temples. This is included in the Ayutthaya tour. The picture below shows the big Chedi (Chedi meaning mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics)that is what remains of this grand monastery...
...along with the rows of Buddhas that seem to stand as sentinels to the old monasteries' grand Chedi.
Wat Maha That. This monastery was said to be residence of the Supreme Patriarch during the Ayutthaya period. It was destroyed and burnt during the war with the Burmese in A.D. 1767.
The Head of the Sandstone Buddha. This is a really interesting sight as the head of Buddha seem to have sprouted inside this Bodhi tree. Probably, once upon a time, even before this tree was here, this Buddha image is erected on this spot along with other relics.
According to our tour guide Angela (her Thai name is really a mouthful sorry:) can't remember it), from years of bringing tourists in Ayutthaya, some tourists smuggle artifacts as souvenirs... and some Thai merchants re-sell pieces like Buddha's head as antiques since they are original pieces. So what we saw when we visited was whats left of it ...
more ruins...
the headless Buddhas in Ayutthaya...
Wat Phra Mane. This beautiful temple was unlike the other ruined temples since it is well maintained. Our guide tells us that according to legend, during the war with the Burmese, the Burmese king himself was firing one canon when it blew up, mortally wounding him. When the Burmese returned to finally take Ayutthaya in 1767, they left the temple alone out of superstition about what had happened to their king the last time.
The different Buddhas symbolic for each day of the week.
Buddhists as we were told usually rub pure gold leafs in the Buddhas. Gold in the form of a thin leaf is an item valued for its purity as a religious offering and for its power to placate spirits and request favors. Postage-stamp-size booklets of gold leaves are always on sale along with incense, flowers and candles at temples and shrines for use as daily offerings.
Inside, the columns are painted a very dark red with gold decorations. The coffered ceiling is also intricately decorated in red and gold. On the dais at one end of the ubosot is a crowned Buddha image with a rather sour face, which is typical of the late Ayutthaya style.
Wat Chai Watthanaram. The only standing temple amidst the ruins of Ayutthaya. It was a sight to behold since it reminds you of the splendor of the time past when it was built. This is one of the grandest sites and the most elaborate temple construction in Ayutthaya. It is rare architecture for this city because its design is symmetrical, and it was built all at one time.
This is a small scale model of the ancient grounds of Wat Chai Watthanaram from an artists point of view. You can easily see the grandeur past from this temple.
For the Ayutthaya tour, be prepared to shell out 1,900 baht for a whole day tour including air conditioned coaches, tour guide, buffet lunch at a hotel and mineral waters and refreshing towels after every stop. :)
For inquiries, contact World Travel Service Ltd at tel (662) 2335900-9 or email them at: kusa@mozart.inet.co.th or visit their website here.
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