Wat Rachaburana

WAT RATCHABURANA

Wat Rachaburana is situated on the opposite to Wat Mahathat. It was built by King Boromracha II (Chao Samphraya) for his coronation ceremony at which he was crowned. There are 2 Chedis built on the site where Chao-yi died in a power struggle on elephants. He erected Phra Mahathat and Phra Wihan to be a Royal Temple and named “Wat Rachaburana”.

When Ayutthaya was conquered. Wat Mahathat and this temple were seriously damaged by fire. However, many Chedis and Wihan now remains especially Prang (the elongated cone-shaped tower) of Wat Rachaburana that is in a perfect condition while only posts and walls are the remaining of Wihan. Encircling the exterior of the Prang are plaster figures of Farudas holding Nagas still remains.

The Central Prang is the large one with a cache containing many items of artifacts that are very valuable for historical and archaeological studies. The Central Prang had been robbed and some by were caught. Only some of the stolen artifacts and antiques were recovered. The Governor of Ayutthaya province at that time informed the Fine Arts Department on the 28^th of September 2500 B.E., The Department sentits staffs to excavate the Central Prang. It was found that there are many rooms inside. One of those room decorated with red colour mural and shaped up with gold leaf in different gestures relating different style of Buddha image like the walking Buddha, the Meditation etc.

Wat Phra Ram

WAT PHRA RAM

As shown in the Historical Records of Luang Prasert that Wat Phra Ram was built in 1912 B.E. by King Ramaesuan on the cremation site of his father ; King Uthong. It is assumed that he could not complete the construction because he reigned over the Kingdom for only 1 year. So King Borommarachathiraj I might be the one who completed it, or it might be possible that it was constructed when King Ramaesuan returned to reign again after the death of King Borommarachathiraj I.

After that this temple has decayed in the course of times and it has been restored several times since it is close to the palace. Until the “Great Period of Restoration” of all temples over the Kingdom during the reign of King Borommatrilokkanat, Wat Phra Ram had also been restored. After that it was restored once again by King Borommakot in 2284 B.E. Nowadays, it still remains be attractive will large-Prang (the Thai term for an elongated cone-shaped tower) and many Chedis.

In front of the temple, there is a large pond named “Nong Sono” which had existed before the Ayutthaya period. This pond was once much smaller until the period of construction of Ayutthaya as the City. This is because the earth around the pond was dug out and taken away for construction. This pond was called “Bueng Cheekan” in the Royal Ruling Book before it was into “Bueng Phraram (Phra Rama Pond)”.

Wat Mahathat

WAT MAHATHAT

Wat Mahathat is situated to the east of the Royal Palace. In the Historical Records of the Royal Secretary, it is mentioned that after the completion of the battle from the north in 1927 B.E. King Ramaesuan had come back to the capital, he happened to see the wonderous Buddha Relics further away from the east while he was pilgrimming at Mongkla Phisek throne Hall. So he suddenly went there to mark the position. After that he established Phra Mahathat with 19 wa (38 meters) height and 3 wa (6 meters) cornice, and named the temple “Wat Mahathat”

As mentioned in the Historical Records of Luang Prasert, it was noted that Wat Mahathat was built during the reign of King Borommarachathiraj I in 1917 B.E. It is a 23 Wa (46 meters) height building. The Prang (the cone-shaped tower) of this temple was built of laterite before it collapsed to the Garuda during the reign of King Songtham. It was not restored until the reign of King Phrasatthong in 2176 B.E. This temple was then be restored and extended the height to 25 wa (50 meters) using bricks, timber, and plaster. However, the cornice collapsed again. Nowadays all that remains porch base.

In 2499 B.E. Fine Arts Department excavated the evocative ruins at War Mahathat, and found a cache containing many antiques, precious stones, and particularly the Relics of Buddha which was well preserved in the silver and bronze Stupas. In the crystal Stupa, a small golden casket was found containing relics, precious stones, golden rings golden Buddha images and other ornaments.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

WAT PHRA SI SANPHET

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was situated on the premises of the royal palace which had been established in the reign of King Ramathibodi I (King U – Thong). In 1448 King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat dedicated the site of the palace to the construction of the temple. The important edifices in this temple are the tree main stupas containing the ashes of King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat, King Boroma Rachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II. It was a royal temple of the kingdom of Ayutthaya, used for such important royal ceremonies as swearing allegiance and it also served as the royal family’s private chapel and the place where the royal family’s ashes were preserved. No monks resided here though they were occasionally invited for particular rites.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

The ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbours. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767.

Ayutthaya is 76 kilometres north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of indochina’s most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage since 13 December, 1991.

There were three palaces in Ayutthaya : Grand Palace, Chantharakasem Palace or the Front Palace, and Wang Lang or the Rear Palace. In addition, there were many other palaces and buildings for royal visits located outside the city area of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, such as Bang Pa-in Palace at Amphoe Bang Pa-in and Nakhon Luang Building at Amphoe Nakhon Luang.

Ayutthaya covers 2,556.6 square kilometres, and is administratively divided into 16 districts (Amphoes). It is conveniently accessible due to good roads and a short distance from Bangkok.

Information by : Tourism Authority of Thailand