WAT MAHA THAT

Wat Maha That was once the home of the Supreme Patriarch, a powerful religious force in Ayutthaya. The temple (under a different name) was likely constructed by King Borom Rachathirat I around 1374. Its current name was given during the reign of King Ramesuan.

 

Today, the central prang (tower) of the temple is a ruined mass of bricks. It first collapsed during the reign of King Song Tham  and was repaired during the reign of the following ruler, King Prasat Thong . The reconstruction raised the prang to 44 meters and thence to 50 meters when a 6 meter metal spire was added.

 

The temple weathered arson attacks during the Burmese invasion of 1767. As late as the early 20th century the prang was in fairly good condition, but it collapsed suddenly during the reign of King Rama VI. Repairs have not been attempted. 

 

Wat Maha That is typical of the Ayutthaya ruins: large crumbling stupas surrounded by low laterite walls and rows of headless Buddhas.

 

 

 

 

Scattered around the temple are some important remains of variously shaped prangs and chedis, in particular an octagonal chedi with a truncated spire in the Ceylonese style.

 

 

 

This stone head of Buddha has become entrapped in the roots of a Banyan tree, creating one of the most unusual sights in Ayutthaya. The roots continue to grow.

When visiting this location please remember it is a sacred site. The presence of a guard and a chain are there to remind visitors  that they cannot touch the statue. Photos can be taken with the buddha's head , but to be respectful these should be taken from a position wherein the head is above you.