Wat Mahathat - UNESCO World Heritage Site - Ayutthaya Historical Park - 14th Century Thailand 2024

Wat Mahathat or the Monastery of the Great Relic is located on the city island in the central part of Ayutthaya.

The monastery stood on the west bank of the Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak, an important canal, which has been filled in sometime in the early 20th century. In ancient times the temple was probably completely surrounded by canals and moats.

The structure was registered as a national historic
site on 8 March 1935 and is part of the Ayutthaya World Heritage Historical Park.

The exact date of the establishment of Wat Maha That is difficult to assess.

The Luang Prasoet version of the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya put its construction in
1374 during the reign of King Borommaracha I, 23 years after the establishment of Ayutthaya. The chronicles mention that the central prang had a height of 46 meters.

Later versions of the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya state that Wat Mahathat was established by King Ramesuan after his attack of Chiang Mai in 1384, but this date is not match with his period of reign.

In general, historians think the monastery was started by King Borommaracha I and completed in King Ramesuan’s reign. In the second version the prang was 38 meter high with on top, a finial of 6 meter.

Chronicles mention that King Borommaracha II attacked Angkor in 1431 and had a large number of sacred images of oxen, lions and other creatures removed from the temples there. These images were brought to Ayutthaya and installed as offerings at Wat Mahathat.

Wat Mahathat was one of the most important monasteries of the Ayutthaya kingdom,
not only because it was the religious center and enshrined relics of the Buddha, but also
because of its proximity to the Grand Palace. It was a royal monastery and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the City Dwelling sect till the end of the Ayutthaya period - on par with the Supreme Patriarch of the Forest Dwelling sect, which had its seat at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (called Wat Pa Kaeo in earlier times).

Prasat Thong restored the stupa in 1633 and increased its height. The prang was raised to 44 meters and reached at that time, with its finial, a height of 50 m.

Wat Mahathat was restored again in King Borommakot’s reign. Four porticos were added to the prang, which was restored at the same time as the royal vihara and the ordination hall. No evidence of restoration of the monastery could be found after. At the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, the monastery was set on fire in the Burmese attack.

Wat Maha That housed before an unusual Buddha image of green stone believed to be made in the Dvaravati style (Mon) dating from 707-757 AD. A governor of Ayutthaya had this statue moved to Wat Na Phra Men during the reign of King Rama III, where it still resides in a small vihara next to the ubosot.

The main prang of Wat Mahathat survived until the reign of King Rama V, as seen in a photograph taken in 1903, early 1904. On 25 May, 1904, at 5:00 in the morning, the main prang collapsed at the level of the niche. The prang fell further apart in 1911 during the reign of King Rama VI. The Fine Arts Department restored it partially. The symmetrical base with staircases on the four sides is all what remains of the once majestic prang.

Wat Maha That was certainly not exempted from looting. From its destruction in 1767 until its restoration by the FAD last century, the temple has been prone of severe looting and damage by illegal excavation.

Even with the collapse of the main prang it is still one of the best sites in the historical park. It is part of the 6 temple tour package that allows one ticket for all sites.

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