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At that time The prang of Wat Mahathat was probably the tallest structure (only within the city walls of Ayutthaya).
📸 An important photo spot of Wat Mahathat is probably the image of a sandstone Buddha head surrounded by tree roots. This photograph has become a symbol replacing the prang of Wat Mahathat that collapsed. Tourists from all over the world travel to record this image of the sandstone Buddha head.
Wat Mahathat was built in the early Ayutthaya period. During the reign of Khun Luang Pha Ngua (the 3rd king of Ayutthaya, who was famous for fighting, joining the army with Phra Ramesuan to win the Khmer war according to the command of King U Thong), Wat Mahathat was the most important and sacred temple of Ayutthaya. Because it was the location of the Buddha's relics of the city before. While Khun Luang Pha Ngua was observing the precepts at the throne, at 10 p.m., he saw the Buddha's relics performing miracles. He ordered the nobles to build the Mahathat in that area.
In addition to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, many provinces in Thailand also have Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra That or Wat Phra Borom That as well. These temples used to be royal temples of the city. Some have become abandoned temples with no monks residing there, such as Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Sukhothai, etc. And there are still monks residing there, such as Ratchaburi, Suphanburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, etc.
Adapted from a line drawing of the assumed shape of the prang of Wat Mahathat by the Fine Arts Department
Currently, the prang of Wat Mahathat is only a dilapidated base. Like it had collapsed to the Garuda level once during the reign of King Songtham. The prang of Wat Mahathat was restored again during the reign of King Prasat Thong. He expanded the Maha That to a height of 50 meters (including the spire, comparing the height with current commercial buildings, it would be much higher than a 15-story building), so he expanded the base to be wider to support the weight of the prang's peak as well.
Photograph of the prang of Wat Mahathat during the reign of King Rama V
During the reign of King Rama V, there was still a photograph of the prang of Wat Mahathat in its complete form. This shows that at that time, the prang had not yet collapsed. The information from the Fine Arts Department stated as an explanation inside the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum that it was a picture taken in November 1903 before it collapsed in May 1904 the following year.
The plan of the ancient site of Wat Mahathat is the same as that of temples in the early Ayutthaya period. There is a main hall facing east. Before the main prang with projections on 4 sides, it is a Chaturamukha, reinforced with pagodas at the 4 corners, helping to adjust the shape of the main prang to look taller and more prominent. As well as many satellite pagodas both inside and outside the cloister.
Stupa containing the Buddha's relics, Wat Mahathat, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
The innermost container containing the Buddha's relics
In 1956, the Fine Arts Department discovered the Buddha's relics 20 meters deep in the cross-shaped chamber under the prang. Important ancient objects were found, including a large stone container. Inside, there were 7 layers of stupas or miniature pagodas stacked on top of each other. The miniature stupas were made of tin, silver, gold, gemstone-topped wood, black wood covered with gold, and red sandalwood covered with gold. 3 layers of garnet glass respectively. The innermost layer is a small gold box. Contains the Buddha's relics in sandalwood oil. Looks like borneol flakes. About 1/3 the size of a grain of rice. The Fine Arts Department brought it up from the vault. Opened for the public to pay respects.
Currently, the Buddha's relics of Wat Mahathat are enshrined at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The Fine Arts Department allows the public to pay respects to the Buddha's relics.
Artifacts discovered from Wat Mahathat
Small prang with murals
From the restoration by the Fine Arts Department, murals were found inside the northwestern prang of the main prang. A large main Buddha image is painted on the entire wall in a glass pavilion. There are also other illustrations that are a popular form of painting in the early Ayutthaya period.
Octagonal pagoda
📸 Because it is one of the most important temples in Ayutthaya, Wat Mahathat has many additional structures from many eras. There is a pagoda that is strange and unlike other pagodas. Located on the southeast side of the main prang. Playfully called the 8-sided pagoda because it has an octagonal base. Each layer is staggered. Decorated with stucco images of angels around each layer. The current condition is the same as the photographs from the reign of King Rama V. Don't forget to take a picture with this 8-sided pagoda.
Traveling to Ayutthaya is auspicious for yourself. If you want to know the story of any temple in Ayutthaya, you can type the name of the temple using the search tools within the Sookjai website immediately.
