Thursday, July 14, 2011

Reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam, Ayutthaya

These are photos of the reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam in Ayutthaya Thailand. This is one of the must see sites of the city. This Buddha image is 37 meters long and 8 meters high, and one of the largest in Thailand. This reclining position portrays the Buddha as he passed away peacefully.

On the day that I visited this temple, the Buddha image was being cleaned.

Thai people still come to Wat Lokayasutharam to pay their respects to the Buddha by offering lotus flowers and incense.

This Buddha image is constructed of brick which is covered by cement. This is the classic construction style that is seen in the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya.

Reclining Buddha image at Ayutthaya.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Brick Ruins at Ayutthaya

These are more photographs of Ayutthaya, Thailand. Ayutthaya is known for its temples and ancient structures made of bricks. Many of these structures are 500 or more years old. These photos were taken at Wat Thammikarat in Ayutthaya. This Wat is sort of off the beaten track of the main temples and there is no fee to enter.

Buddha image in the alter of a crumbling temple

Bricks- People stacked these bricks inside the main structure. I am not sure what the purpose is.

Wat Thammikarat- inside the structure. You can get a sense of how magnificent this structure was before it dilapidated.

Temple alter at Wat Thammikarat, Ayutthaya

Lots of Roosters. These are associated with King Naresuan who ruled Thailand from Ayutthaya over 400 years ago. Roosters are always placed around his image all over Thailand.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Ayutthaya Photographs

I haven't added any photos to the blog for a while. I guess thats what happens when you are abroad and have fluctuating internet capabilities. Now that I am back in the states, I am trying to post my pictures from this past year. Hope you enjoy! The first batch is from Ayutthaya, Thailand. This is a beautiful ancient city near Bangkok. It's a nice place to take a day trip if you are staying in the city. I suggest renting bicycles or motorbikes so that you can run around the city and visit all of the sites on your own. The traffic is pretty calm here for Thailand, so it's pretty easy to get around.


Photo of a Thai lion statue at Wat Thammikarat

More Lions at Wat Thammikarat

These are roosters at Wat Thammikarat. They are associated with the Thai King Naresuan, who ruled in Ayutthaya from 1590 to 1605.

Sign for Chang Beer. mmmm....

Ruins in Ayutthaya. The ruins around the city are lit up at night, which poses a good opportunity for photos.

Another Thai Lion