Wat Mahathat – a must-see temple in Ayutthaya you should not miss
Wat Mahathat is one of the important temples in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Nowadays, it become a must-see temple in Ayutthaya that no visitor wanna miss. The temple (Wat) specifies a popular structure of Ayutthaya temples with a sermon hall (Viharn), the main hall (Prang), an ordination hall (Ubosot), and many subsidiary stupas (Chedis) and viharns. In this post, let’s go through some information about this place before you put it on your travel bucket list in Ayutthaya.
The main Prang of Wat Mahathat has been collapsed in the early 20th century
Basic information about Wat Mahathat
A big Buddha statue in front of the main prang
The wat was constructed in 1374 by King Boromma Rachathirat I. It is also called “the temple of the Great Relic” as the main prang is the place to enshrine Buddha Relics. The main prang has collapsed 2 times in the early 17th century and in the early 20th century. After the first collapsing, the main prang was restored and enlarged with many side chedis and viharns by the reign of later Kings. On the later collapse, Wat Mahathat has been not stored until now.
- Address: Naresuan Rd, Tha Wasukri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000 (See map)
- Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Ticket fee: 50 THB/ foreigner; 10 THB/ Thai
What is Wat Mahathat famous for?
Wat Mahathat is well-known to visitors because of its many features.
The temple covers a large area with many chedis and viharns
The first attractive object is the head of stone Buddha image in the roots of the banyan tree. During the collapse many years ago, many Buddha statues were also damaged. A part of the Buddha statue was fallen into tree roots and was embraced by them. Until now, the object becomes the most photographed point in Wat Mahathat. Also, it contributes to making the place a must-see temple in Ayutthaya.
The main attraction of this temple is the Buddha head in the banyan tree roots
The second popular point in this temple is its architecture which follows the ancient Khmer styles of Angkor in Cambodia. Additionally, the place reflects the primary view of the universe according to Hindu and Buddhism. All sections of Wat Mahathat were made on laterite based and built up with bricks.
Many Buddha images have been damaged by the temple collapse and time
Passing the gate, visitors will meet the sermon hall or viharn with the entrance facing the rising sun East and connecting to the West gallery. After that, there stands the main prang representing Mount Meru which is considered the center of the universe. On the other side of the main prang is the ordination hall connecting to the East gallery. This ubosot is the place for novices to ordain and start their monkhood. Excepts from these 3 main halls, there are plenty of viharns chedis built in the surroundings of the temple.
A ruined Buddha statue inside Wat Mahathat
It will be a miss if we forget to mention the importance of the wat during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It is a Royal temple near the palace where the King usually conducts special ceremonies. One of the ceremonies to mention is the Royal Kathin ceremony.
The temple used to be a place for many important ceremonies
Tips when visiting Wat Mahathat
Always pay attention to the place manners to avoid entrance rejection
Like when visiting any other sacred place in Thailand, there are some temple manners you need to follow in order not to be rejected from entering the place.
- Dress politely. Make sure that your clothes can cover your shoulder and leg
- Never climb or sit on the Buddha image
- Never sit on the sacred places, chedis, sprang, or ubosot
- Do not express affection
- No food and drink is allowed in the temple area
- Parking is available around this temple
Check it out for more relevant topics:
- 11 temple manners in Thailand you’d better follow
- Wat Yai Chaimongkhon – 1 must-visit temple in Ayutthaya
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet – 1 important temple in Ayutthaya Kingdom
- Wat Ratchaburana – The temple of Royal Restoration