Buddha head in tree roots (Wat Mahathat)
This site
is located in Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya.
Wat Mahathat
is a temple built in the 14th century but was later destroyed when
the Burmese army invaded Ayutthaya. Burmese damaged many buddha images by cutting
off the heads. The area was after left abandoned until 1950s when the Department of Fine Art began restoration work in Ayutthaya.
It remains unsure
on how the buddha head became entwined in the tree roots, but there were some assumptions.
One assumption is that during the period where the temple was abandoned the
tree roots grew around the buddha head. Another assumption is that a thief
stole the buddha head and hide it in the area, but eventually wasn’t able to
come back for it and was left abandoned.
Additional
information:
Tourists are
allowed to take pictures but to be respectful, they should take the photo in
kneeling or crouched position.
Tourists
are also not allowed to stand too close to the area, if they do a security
guard on hand will blow a whistle.
The moment I saw the picture of this amazing tree... I know I have to go Ayutthaya.
ReplyDeleteThe roots from the tree are fascinating! It holds and still holding the Buddha Head strongly and upright all these years. Treasure Mentor Anm and myself were there was totally amazed by the structure. Cheers Bernice!
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