Wat Maheyong, Buddhist temple ruins in Hantra, Thailand
Wat Maheyong is a Buddhist temple ruin in Hantra with a large eastern-facing ordination hall measuring 17 meters (56 feet) wide by 35 meters (115 feet) long. The grounds are enclosed by boundary walls with small chedis, and the entire complex spans about 95 by 214 meters with multiple access points.
The temple was built in 1438 during King Borommaracha II's reign and later served as a military base during the 1568 conflict between Siam and Burma. After damage from this period, a three-year restoration was completed in 1713 under royal patronage.
The main chedi displays eighty elephant figures at its base, reflecting architectural styles brought from Sri Lanka that appear in other Thai religious buildings. This distinctive decorative approach shapes how visitors experience the sacred space and shows how religious influences traveled between regions.
The site is accessible through multiple entrances and features informational signage explaining the historical meaning of different structures. These signs help visitors navigate the grounds independently and understand what they are looking at.
A member of the royal family built a residence near the temple shortly after the restoration was finished. This connection shows how the site gained royal importance during the early 1700s.
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