Ayutthaya City

We had another activity. This time we went to Ayutthaya City yesterday May 3, 2008.

Here are the pictures:

At Wat Chaiwatthanaram

At Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet located in the grand palace compound, it was used as a residential palace since the reign of King Ramathibodi I (Phra Chao U – Thong). In 1448, during the reign of King Borom Trai Lokanath, it was dedicated as the royal chapel. The prominence of this monastery is the three pagodas in which the ashes of three Kings – King Borom Trai Lokanath, King Borom Rachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II, were enshrined.

At Phra Mongkonbophit

At Wat Yai Chai-mongkol
or Big Pagoda Temple, Wat Yai Chai-mongkol – In 1357 after Chao Keow and Chao Thai were cremated, King U – Thong converted Pagoda and Wihara into a monastery named “Wat Pa Keow” for the order of monks who practiced meditation. Then it was called ” Wat Chao Phraya Thai ” according to the name of Somdej Phrawanarat

Entrance

The Great Chedi Chaya Mongkol

At Wat Mahatthat
Wat Mahathat was restored once again during the reign of King Borommakot (1732-1758 A.D.) when four porticos of the main prang were added. In 1767 A.D. when Ayutthaya was sacked the wat was burnt and has since then been in ruins.Wat Mahathat was a royal monastery and has been the seat of the Sangaraja, the head of the Buddhist monks of the Kamavasi sect, since the time of the Mahathera Thammakanlayan, who was a ontemporary of King Borommarachathirat 1, who built the wat.

Lord Buddha’s Head

At Wat Lokayasutharam
Wat Lokayasutharam has a mysterious past, whereby its origins are unknown The temple enshrines a Largest Reclining Buddha Image which was built during The Early Period of the Ayutthaya Region. The other two ancient temple, as well as the ruined site also surround the compound area.

Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn

We had a photo activity yesterday (April 26) with some members of SPAS (Siam Pinoy Aperture Society club). It was a successful activity though the weather is not that good. Heavy rain poured before we arrived the place. It almost took 2 hours in a 20-baht bus ride (bus number 177) from Victory monument.

I visited most temple or Wat around Bangkok but this temple Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn that inspires me most. It consists of many temples. It is breathtakingly beautiful temple and it absolutely delights and impresses me as photographer. This recently built temple formally opened last March 20, 2008 was constructed for 12 years as a tribute to the Thai king, commemorating at that time the monarch’s 80th birthday and his 50th anniversary on the throne.

Here are some of the pictures:

Taken at the main entrance.

There are many rock statues at the main entrance. There are around 12 but below pictures I like most.

At the main temple. There are 3 huge buddhas.

At one of the temple.

At one of the temple, it was this picture below amazed me. The wall is covered with small buddhas.

I took many pictures here and I like this one.


Below picture is the main buddha in this temple.

I noticed while we are about to leave that there are small buddha on the tip of the roof as seen below.

After almost 2 hours photo shoot, we had to leave because of 6 PM curfew hour. I felt unsatisfied. There are still a lot of unexplored shots!

I will definitely go back there!

Thats all for now! Thanks for viewing my post. See also here.

Songkran Festival 2008

Songkran is a traditional Thai New Year celebrated every April 13 to 15.

Below are pictures taken last April 14 at Khao San Road.