Mahabodhi Temple in Ayutthaya | A thousand-year-old temple where Buddhist relics are enshrined 🏛️

The Mahavihara Temple, built in the 14th century, is the most important center of Buddhist learning in Ayutthaya!

🏛️ Millennium-Old Temple:
· 14th-century Ayutthaya's most important early temple
· "Mahathat" means "Great Relic"
· A sacred hall enshrining Buddha relics
· A major center for ancient Buddhist scholarship

📿 Buddhist Holy Site:
· Once housed precious Buddha relics
· One of the oldest temples in the Ayutthaya Kingdom
· A major center for monastic practice and Buddhist learning
· A significant pilgrimage destination for generations of believers

🗼 Architectural Relics:
· A towering Khmer-style main stupa (Prang) in the center
· Surrounded by numerous large and small stupas
· The wonder of the ancient pagoda, leaning yet standing tall

💔 War Damage:
· The destructive Burmese invasion of 1767
· Massive beheadings and destruction of Buddha statues
· The temple buildings were severely damaged and abandoned
· Restoration and conservation work began in the 1950s

🌿 Natural Wonders:
· The poetic beauty of overgrown weeds amidst ruins
· Ancient trees and stone pagodas harmoniously coexist
· A work of art sculpted by time and nature
· A dialogue between vitality and history

📍 Significance:
· A core attraction at Ayutthaya Historical Park
· A key component of the UNESCO World Heritage List
· One of Thailand's most iconic monuments
· A key location for studying Ayutthaya culture

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