Wat Phukhao Thong
Wat Phu Khao Thong, also known as the "Golden Mount Pagoda," is a historic temple located in Ayutthaya, Thailand. It was originally built in 1387 and features a chedi that stands approximately 80 meters tall.
The site originally housed a large Mon-style chedi built by King Hongsawadi of Burma to commemorate his victory in Ayutthaya in 1569.
During the reign of King Boromakot, a new Thai-style chedi was built on the base of the former chedi. The chedi has a gold ball at the top weighing around 2 kilograms and a Buddha footprint from Saraburi. The temple is slightly off the beaten track and is easily accessible by Tuk-Tuk.
The temple features a clash of two unique architectural styles, with the pagoda initially sanctioned by a Burmese commander to commemorate a successful siege of Ayutthaya but only managing to complete the base structure before he left. After Ayutthaya regained its independence, a Thai-style pagoda was superimposed on the Mon-style base.
Buddhist law prohibited ...
Si Mahosot was a significant urban and cultural center in the Dvaravati civilization, a Mon-dominated culture that shaped early Thailand through trade, religion, and governance. It later came under Khmer influence, reflecting its strategic importance in Southeast Asia.
Historical Development
1. Dvaravati Origins (6th–8th Centuries):
• Si Mahosot emerged as a key city in the Dvaravati kingdom, a loose network of Mon city-states in central and eastern Thailand.
• It was a hub for trade and cultural exchange, connecting India, China, and other Southeast Asian regions via maritime and overland routes.
• Archaeological evidence shows a fortified city with moats and earthen walls, suggesting defense needs and centralized planning.
• The city thrived on agriculture (rice farming in fertile plains) and craftsmanship, with pottery, beads, and metalwork found in excavations.
2. Khmer Influence (9th–13th Centuries):
• By the 9th century, Si Mahosot came under the expanding Khmer Empire (centered in Angkor, Cambodia).
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Bangkok, Thailand, is home to numerous temples, but nine are often considered particularly sacred due to their historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. These temples, known as “wat” in Thai, are revered for their religious importance and architectural beauty. Below is a brief description of nine sacred temples in Bangkok, commonly associated with spiritual merit-making and the “Nine Temples Tour” popular among locals and visitors:
1. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)Located within the Grand Palace, this is Thailand’s holiest temple, housing the sacred Emerald Buddha, a jade statue. The complex is renowned for its ornate architecture, vibrant murals, and golden stupas.
2. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)Situated along the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is famous for its porcelain-encrusted spires that shimmer at sunrise and sunset. Its central prang symbolizes Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology.
3. Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)Home to a massive ...
Tako Temple or Wat Tako is widely known as the place where Luang Pho Ruai, a famous monk from Ayutthaya stayed. The temple is a modern design with 2 halls built in the Ayutthaya style.
Luang Pho Ruai was ordained as a novice at Wat Tako until he reached the age to be ordained to enter the monkshood. After becoming a monk he spent his career developing Wat Tako and helping it grow in the community for over 70 years.
Phrakhru Sunthonthamwinit (Luang Pho Ruai Pasathiko) passed away in 2017, at the age of 95 with 76 years in the monkshood. His disciples kept his body for 100 days after his death . When they opened the coffin they found out that the body had not decayed. After discovering this they kept the body in a glass coffin inside Mahathat Pasathiko Pagoda so that disciples and people can pay homage.
The beautiful Mahathat Pagoda of Tako Temple was began to be constructed in 2014. The area around the pagoda is an open space to for people who come to view the body of Luang Pho Ruai. The ...
