Famous Temples in Ayutthaya- a MUST VISIT temples
Wat Panancheong at Ayutthaya- a MUST VISIT temple also known as 'Sum Poh Kong' temple also housed several Guan Yin
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, another MUST VISIT temple in Ayutthaya
Wat Mahathat - famous buddha head in tree
Wat Chai Wathanaram - no head buddha
Wat Phra Chao Phananchoeng is located southeast of Ayutthaya island at the confluence of the Pasak River and the Chao Phraya River.
According to historical records a first temple was built at the site in 1324 A.D. (before the founding of Ayutthaya).
The Huge Buddha image - made of brick and mortar and covered with stucco - sits in the
classic posture of Subduing Mara. It measures (approx) 14 meters at the lap and 19
meters in height including the ornament above the head. Thai people call it “Luang Phor
To” or “Great Reverend Father”, Chinese or Thais of Chinese origin call it “Sam Po
Kong”. It is one of the largest, oldest, beautiful and revered Buddha images of Thailand
Wat Phanan Choeng is a busy wat, with many Thai people worshipping there. They reportedly offer worship to the image and obtain predictions of their luck. You will also notice a lot of Chinese characters and writing before entering the main building. Chinese people name the image 'Sum Poh Kong', which means 'Good Luck in Boating'.
The Buddha Image itself measures 14.25 meters from knee to knee, and 19 meters in height (including the ornament above the head). Is has the posture of Subduing Mara (as so many Buddha Images in Thailand). While it is constructed of bricks and mortar, the Buddha Image now is completely gilded.
This temple is different from most other temples you may visit in Ayutthaya, since it is a 'living' one. Many Thais (and Chinese) worship here. At the time we visited a ceremony was taken place, where the robes of the Buddha Image were being changed
Belief
Faith in the magical power of Luangpho To has traveled far. People believe that praying to Luangpho helps make their trade flourish and brings about achievement in their career. Parents whose child falls ill frequently offer their child to be Luangpho’s godchild, or make an offering with a candle and incense sticks and pray for Luangpho’s power to ward oft the ailment. The Chinese pray for wealth and happiness, and they often bring Luangpho To a robe, fruits, food or dessert as offerings. In practice, not just praying, people should follow the Dhamma offering respect to Samma-ajiva and Sammavayama which means having the right career and right effort, respectively. Those who practice the Dhamma shall be loved by others, receive compassion and succeed in business.
Visit by Zheng He
The temple was visited in 1407 CE by Zheng He, a Chinese eunuch admiral from Yunnan who leading his second Ming imperial voyage.
He bestowed gifts upon the temple in a great ceremony that
included Siamese royal participation, and is today remembered
by Thai-Chinese visitors who still visit the temple in his honour.
Beside the temple is the big chao praya river where there are many big fishes. you can purchase fish foods from the stalls and feed the big fish as a form of good karma.
GETTING THERE:
By Car
From Bangkok, one can get to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya by various routes:
* Take Highway No.1 (Phahon Yothin) via Pratu Nam Phra In and turn into Highway No.32, then, turn left to Highway No.309 to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
* Take Highway No.304 (Chaeng Watthana) or Highway No.302 (Ngam Wong Wan), turn right into Highway No.306 (Tiwanon), cross Nonthaburi or Nuanchawi Bridge to Pathum Thani, continue on Highway No.3111 (Pathum Thani – Sam Khok – Sena) and turn right at Amphoe Sena into Highway No.3263 to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
* Take Highway No.306 (Bangkok–Nonthaburi–Pathum Thani), at Pathum Thani Bridge Intersection, turn into Highway Nos.347 and 3309 via Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Amphoe Bang Pa-in, to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
* Take Expressway No.9 (Si Rat Expressway) via Nonthaburi – Pathum Thani and down to Highway No.1 via Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, turn left into Highway No.3469 towards Bang Pahan and turn right at Worachet Intersection to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
By Taxi
One can also contact a taxi for pick up at the international airport of Bangkok. For example: Car Service, phone: +66 (0) 2819 5390, email: raksacharoen@hotmail.comThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). Advance booking possible. ~1200Bahts one way.
By Minibus (Van)
Convenient minibus service (can get stuck in traffic, but makes no stops like regular buses) operates from the Victory Monument square in Bangkok. Take BTS Skytrain to the Victory Monument station, and go right on the elevated walkway - keep on it until you cross a large road, then descend - the buses are parked at the side side of the main traffic circle). The cost is usually ~70 baht, takes around 1 hour or 1 hour 20 min. It's quite convenient since you don't have to go to bus terminals (nearby Mochit) but the only problem is that the minibuses don't have much space to put big bags and have to wait until the car is fully filled.
Minibuses (van) from Kanchanaburi can be arranged by guesthouses or any tour operators for around 350 baht.
By Train
The cheapest and most scenic way of reaching Ayutthaya is by train. It regularly departs from Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station and stops in Ayutthaya. The trip takes about 2 - 2.5 hrs depending on the type of service. Second class seats(A/C) cost 245 baht, third class is just 20 baht (no reservations and seats are not guaranteed). (Fares in April 2010) Check time table here: http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp (Please note that fares listed on the Thai railways site are out of date and incorrect).
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, another MUST VISIT TEMPLE in Ayutthaya
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon was constructed in the reign of the King U-Thong (Ayutthaya’s first monarch) in 1357, for the returned monks of a predominantly strict order trained in Ceylon. The temple is also known as Chao Phraya Thai Temple. The key attractions in this place of worship are the huge Pagoda and big image of Reclining Buddha. The pagoda is in bell-shaped, about 60 meters high, built on a mound of raised soil with steps going up to the Buddhist image positioned halfway to the top. The main Pagoda is enclosed by 4 minor pagodas. In front of the pagoda are the stumps of columns which once hold up the top of the temple. The pagodas in the temple was built in 1592 to celebrate King Naresuan the great’s single-handed defeat of the Burmese Crown Prince after an elephant back combat in the same year.
Inside this tourist attraction, the big image of Reclining Buddha was also built in the era of King Naresuan the Great as the meditation place for the king. Comparable to all the temples and palaces in Ayutthaya, the temple was raided by the Burmese when Ayutthaya was taken in 1767. Nowadays, the temple is still functioning. There is a museum about King Nareusan of Autthaya located inside the temple as well.
Getting There:
Bang Pa-in Rd (1 km east of Wat Phananchoeng). 8PM-6PM, daily. Admission: 20 baht
Open Hours : Daily 08.00 - 18.00
Admission Fee : 20 Baht
Wat Mahathat - famous buddha head in tree
Wat Chai Wathanaram - no head buddha
Getting to Ayutthaya : (if you find it a hassle, i suggest hired a taxi about baht 2000 for whole day from Bangkok City)
If using public transport, we suggest you go to Ayutthaya either by train or by minivan.
Many trains leave daily from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong railway station (which is located at the MRT subway terminal). They often stop there on the way up further north. The train ride takes about 90 minutes, half of which is spent getting out of Bangkok. Probably you should avoid the few second-class trains. Being rather unaware of the difference in price, we paid 315 baht for a one-way ticket and got a ride in a rather delapidated passenger car. But you get air-conditioning and a free meal is included. The third-class trains costs only 15 baht if I remember well, in any case much less. Interestingly, our second-class train was almost full, with people that I doubt would (or could) fork out 300 baht for the ride, so likely there is two-tier pricing at work.
If your hotel is in the eastern or middle part of Ayutthaya, you should walk west (go opposite of railway station) towards the river, just 200 meters away. There is a ferry service that takes you over the river for just a few baht, beats making a big detour over the bridge, a few kilometers south, with a local tuktuk.
Minivans leave regularly (every 30 minutes or so) from Victory Monument in Bangkok (at the Victory Monument skytrain station). It takes just over an hour to reach Ayutthaya (depending on Bangkok traffic). The minivan's station in Ayutthaya is off Naresuan road (Ayutthaya's free-wheeling bus station). It costs only 60 baht one-way. Be aware that Thai minivan drivers take more risks than advisable, so using a minivan is just a bit less safe than going by train.
Buses from Bangkok are not practical, since you first would have to get to the Norhern Bus Station. It just takes too much time to get there.
Two of the chedis at Wat Phra Sisanphet.
Getting around in Ayutthaya :
A lot of the historical monuments are clustered together. Nevertheless, since we are talking about big temple compounds here, it would take just a bit too much energy and time to walk from one temple to another. The way to go is by bicycle. Bicycles can be rented all over town, prices vary between 40 and 100 baht a day. You will not get an upmarket mountain bike though, just a cheaper model, which may be quite reliable though. Make sure to check the tires and brakes. You may be able to get a lock, but certainly not all shops will provide you with one.
While there are a lot of wats in the middle and western part of Ayutthaya, some interesting ones are located on the outskirts of town, that is outside Ayutthaya 'island'. We went to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol (east of town), which is about 5 km by bike, and Wat Chai Wattanaram, (west of town), which we estimate is about 10 km. The roads are OK, the traffic in Ayutthaya a bit awful, also with many double-parked cars.
Wat Phanan Choeng, an interesting temple, is located just southeast of the city. Be aware that there is a ferry service that can get you there, and you take your bike on the boat, just be a bit careful.
Use suntan when cycling around Ayutthaya! And put it on your wrist and fingers, and on your shins and feet if you do not wear socks. The sun here can be treacherous.
There are a lot of tuktuks available. You have to negotiate the price. Groups of tuktuk drivers often are located together in certain locations, and then you seem to have to negotiate with the 'boss' of the gang, who will designate the driver. We took a tuktuk to visit Wat Phutthaisawan (south of town) which costs us 200 baht (we did not negotiate), and the driver waited there for us about 90 minutes. It may be useful to combine a visit to Wat Phutthaisawan with a visit of Wat Chai Wattanaram (300 baht?). You could probably use a tuktuk if you visit Wat Phu Khao Thong, or even Wat Yai Chai Mongkol if you are a bit tired or not fit.
map of temples in ayuthaya
source:
http://www.ayutthaya2020.com/ayutthayamap.asp
