Sunday, November 7, 2010
Wat Phra Mahathat
This temple, north of the former Grand Palace, was the ritual center of the city. Its date is uncertain. What we see today is a 1663 restoration that was done by order of King Prasat Thong. This monastery was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the forest dwelling sect. The major construction was the high pagoda or prang which was destroyed by Burmese invaders. When the government undertook to restore all Ayutthaya ruins, the Fine Arts Department excavated the pagoda and found a buried treasure chest containing many valuables. Among objects discovered were a relic of Lord Buddha, placed inside a golden casket, several golden Buddha images in different sized and many other objects in gold, ruby and crystal. These are now housed in Bangkok's National Museum.
Labels:
History and Culture
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