seated buddha earth touching pose restored ruins satellite vihara monastic hall wat mahathat ayutthaya

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Seated Buddha earth touching pose in restored ruins of a satellite vihara or monastic hall at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya Royalty Free Stock Photo

Partially restored ruins of a satellite vihara or monastic hall at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya Historical Park Royalty Free Stock Photo

Seated Buddha earth touching pose in restored ruins of a satellite vihara or monastic hall at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya

The Temple of the Great Relic, Wat Mahathat is a Buddhist temple located in the center of old Ayutthaya, Thailand. It was a royal monastery whose history started in 1374 when King Borommaracha I erected a temple there and it was one of the most important monasteries of the Ayutthaya kingdom, not only because it was the religious center and enshrined relics of the Buddha, but also because of its proximity to the Grand Palace. It was also the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the City Dwelling sect till the end of the Ayutthaya period.