Wat Mahathat, Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Wat Mahathat is a temple ruin in the historic park of Ayutthaya in central Thailand, where weathered brick walls and broken stone statues show the remains of Buddhist architecture. The central tower rises surrounded by smaller stupas, while low foundations along paved paths mark where prayer halls and assembly rooms once stood.
King Borommarachathirat I founded the complex in the 14th century as the religious heart of his newly established capital. Burmese troops destroyed the temple during their assault on Ayutthaya in 1767, causing towers to collapse and sculptures to break.
The name means 'temple of the great relic' and points to its former role as a royal chapel and spiritual center of the kingdom. Monks gathered here for religious ceremonies while pilgrims came to pray before the sacred statues and present offerings.
The entrance lies within the historical park and is accessible daily between 8 AM and 5 PM. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the ground consists of uneven pavement and grass, and seek shade under scattered trees when the sun is strong.
A sandstone Buddha head rests between the twisted roots of a banyan tree that grew around the sculpture over decades. This natural arrangement appeared after the temple destruction, as vegetation slowly grew over the scattered debris.
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