Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya)

Wat Mahathat (Thai วัดมหาธาตุ พระนครศรีอยุธยา, Temple of the Great Relic) is a Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Wat Mahathat
วัดมหาธาตุ
Religion
Affiliation	Theravada Buddhism
Location
Location	Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya Province
Country	Thailand
Architecture
Founder	Borommarachathirat I
Completed	1374

Prang and statue of Buddha, Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya

Location

The Wat Mahathat is located in the center of Ayutthaya Historical Park, between Chi Kun Road and Naresuan Road in the northeast corner of Phra Ram Park.

Wat Phra Mahathat, Ayutthaya

Probably the most photographed object in the area

Plan of the ruins of Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya

Description

According to the official Thai history, referring to the investigations of the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the history of Wat Mahathat starts in 1374 when King Borommarachathirat I erected a temple at this place, bearing another name:

"In the Year of the Tiger 736 C.S. Somdet Phra Borommarachathirat and Phra Mahathera Thammakanlayan built the great, glorious, holy, jewelled reliquary (Phra Si Rattana Mahathat) east of the palace (the Royal gable of the lion). He rose 19 wa in height and equipped with a nine-membered tip that is another 3 wa in height."

His nephew and successor Ramesuan (1369-1370, 1388-1395) expanded the site in 1384 to build a great temple, while he was here as a monk between his throne offices. During this time the temple got its present name.

See also

• Ayutthaya Historical Park