To kick start my 'homecoming' to Bangkok and Ayutthaya after taking my last of many flights to Thailand since 2006 until 2010, I would like to retro back those good old days of my student life in Thailand. And of course stay in Bangkok will not be completed without a trip to the ancient Unesco World Heritage Site of Ancient Ayutthaya Kingdom.
A little bit about the history of Ayutthaya.
Located in the valley of the Chao Phraya River, the city was founded in 1350 by King U Thong, and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya kingdom or Siam. Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. Its remains, characterized by the prang (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries, give an idea of its past splendour. It is estimated that Ayutthaya by the year 1600 CE had a population of about 300,000, with the population perhaps reaching 1,000,000 around 1700 CE, making it one of the world's largest cities at that time.
Source: Wikipedia 2012
Well enough of history, and let's get down to the photos.
 |
| The Head of the Buddha's Carving on a tree |
Perhaps one of the famous spots in Ayutthaya is the Wat Mahathat where the famous Buddha's Head Carving is. They Wat Mahathat is located to the East of the grand palace. The most sacred in Ayutthaya during the glorious years, Buddha relics were enshrined in the Mahathat Chedi.
Some of the ancient ruins of Wat Mahathat.
Up next is the Wat Yai Chai Mongkol which was constructed in the year 1900 B.E.
 |
| Statue of Sleeping Buddha in Wat Chai Ya Mongkol |
 |
| Some of the pagodas have been destroyed during the Burmese and Siamese war at that time |
Below is yet another ancient ruins which is the Wat Phra Si Sanphet which was built in the year 1448 A.D. The temple area was used for royal ceremonies and rituals. They are also used to house the burial remains of the kings and members of the royal family in the three bell-shaped chedi just like the Pharaohs buried in the Pyramid.
 |
| That was me 4 years ago |
0 comments:
Post a Comment