Wat Mahathat in Bangkok

One of the most remarkable Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Wat Mahathat is located in the heart of the city and is also home to a meditation center. The meditation is known well known world over, and many people come to practice meditation at this temple. It is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok and its history dates back to the time before Bangkok became the capital of Thailand. Anantara Cruises are amongst the most luxurious Bangkok cruises that are available. Guests can take a journey with the Anantara Cruises and discover the Chao Phraya River’s majestic wonders. Guests can also visit archeological sites such as the Wat Mahathat, Bangkok and experience a once in a lifetime journey.

Wat Mahathat also known as theTemple of the Great Relics, is located almost right in the center of Ayutthaya. Apart from being the symbolic center where the Buddha’s relics were enshrined, Wat Mahathat was also the residence of the Supreme Patriarch or leader of the Thai Buddhist monks. The temple is believed to be built during the 14th century. Although the temple is rather large, its grounds are crammed full of schools, offices and other buildings, as well as a large kuti section. The courtyard itself is lined with large Buddha images in various states of repair. Numerous memorials to departed loved ones line their bases. The columns of the colonnade around the courtyard are slanted inwards. The easiest way to reach Wat Mahathat is by boat to the Chang Pier. The main prang collapsed during the Ayutthaya period, but was restored. It collapsed again in 1911, so only the foundation of the main prang remains at present. However, it can easily be judged from the size of the base, that the prang was quite high. As in most architecture of the early period of Ayutthaya, the main prang was the most important edifice in the temple compound. For tourists, Wat Mahathat offers the much photographed Buddha head, embedded into a tree trunk.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+