10th Century Khmer Prasat - Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat - Ratchaburi Thailand 2023

Ratchaburi is the land of the Mae Klong Basin civilization.

From legend and historical evidence, it is assumed that Ratchaburi used to be one of the civilized kingdoms of Suvarnabhumi in the past, from the reign of the Great King Asoka of India, who proclaimed the Lord Buddha's teachings throughout this land around 325 BC.

The central town of the ruling power of Suvarnabhumi was Nakhon Pathom which was called "Dvaravati" at that time. In addition, Ratchaburi was also the meeting point of ancient tradesmen and the gateway to Burma. This made Ratchaburi a meeting point of differing ethnic groups.

Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat วัดมหาธาตุวรวิหาร is an ancient temple, locally called Wat Na Phra That. It is on the west bank of the Mae Klong River. Its elegant prangs or pagoda remains in good condition and were probably copied from Cambodia's Angkor Wat.

The prang made of bricks and a stone stands on a rectangular base with pathways around the cloisters. The outer stucco designs were made in the reign of King Borommakot of Ayutthaya. Buddha images of Dvaravati, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya periods are placed around the pagoda.

This ancient Wat is very pleasant and worth the time taken to visit, it is believed that the prang dates back to the 10th or 11th century but has received various modifications since. Over recent years more renovations have taken place and some great archaeological finds have been made, these are also displayed within the grounds of the prang.

It resembles several other Khmer temples around Thailand but in one of the best conditions that you will see.

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