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- Wat Mahathat, Bangkok: Discover Temple Of Meditation And Buddhist Learning
Wat Mahathat, Bangkok: Discover Temple of Meditation and Buddhist Learning
Tuk-Tuk! Do you hear that? That is how the clocks chime here in the Asian city of angels. Loved and admired by locals and tourists alike, Bangkok is the heart of adventure and entertainment here in Thailand. With street food, malls, museums, massages, and floating markets, Bangkok is the perfect culmination of a twenty-first-century cosmopolitan life and the rich flavor of an erstwhile powerful city. In addition to being the city that never sleeps, Bangkok also has a beautiful spiritual side to offer whose tranquility gets etched into the memory of every traveler. The temples of Bangkok usually have a rich cultural and political history woven around them. One such spiritual abode is the Buddhist temple Wat Mahathat. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Bangkok's temples by including a visit to Wat Mahathat in your itinerary with a convenient Bangkok Package, ensuring a holistic and memorable travel experience.
One of the uniquely beautiful features that sets Wat Mahathat apart from other Buddhist temples in Thailand is the head of a Buddha statue tangled in the roots of a huge tree. Believed to be brought to life by the regal heirs of the Ayutthaya kingdom, the temple takes you on a beautiful journey to Bangkok’s glorious past. Here are some of the things to do in Wat Mahathat, Explore the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history of Thailand with our curated Bangkok Tour Packages, offering an unforgettable journey filled with adventure and relaxation.
Reminisce
The temple of Wat Mahathat is not as religious as it is historical. The parts of the temple that survive till date, tell the stories of erstwhile victors and the greatness of the Buddhist relics. If you feel like sitting down and letting your mind wander into what the world was centuries ago, Wat Mahathat is a place to do just that! Read up a little about architecture and the Ayutthaya kingdom to fully appreciate the allure of the place.
Meditate
One of the highlights of Wat Mahathat is that it has monks who teach the visitors the art of meditation. The area of the temple is divided into different districts. Enter district five to learn the art from the masters. You can hire a private monk to teach you meditation, depending on the crowd. There are about three sessions per day, and the classes can go from three to four hours. Bonus: You can even try on monk clothes and see how they fit you!
Marvel
The first capital of Siam has an absolute Buddhist vibe running through its veins. Wat Mahathat possesses two giant 9-meter tall standing Buddha statues on each side of the temple. Other than this, the temple has a chedi built out of red bricks and what remains of a central prang symbolizing Mount Meru, considered to be the center of the universe encircled by oceans. Strolling around the temple and letting all of its brilliance soak in could be an experience of its own unique kind!
Photograph
If you are traveling with friends or family, this temple offers you the most aesthetically pleasing background for your photographs. Its rustic ambiance makes it look like it has been charmed out of a perfectly written fantasy novel!
Highlights of Wat Mahathat
- One of the oldest and most noteworthy temples among the temples of Thailand, the Wat Mahathat was the royal temple of the Ayutthaya kingdom. It was a political symbol much envied by the rulers of the neighboring kingdoms.
- Wat Mahathat is also known as the ‘temple of the great relic’ referring to the most respected Buddhist relic possessed by the temple. This served as the center for Buddhist ordinations and other rituals.
- The architectural principles that bolster the historical significance of this temple are said to have been inspired by the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. Most of the temple premises have been demolished by the enemies of the Ayutthaya rulers. However, the war ruins and the Buddha statues are sites of great significance among those who travel to learn history and culture
- The viharas (assembly halls) and Chedis (stupas with Buddhist relics), interestingly, can be traced back to different time periods. Wrapped up in faded murals and defaced sculptures, the temple gives off a trans vibe that sits just right with time travelers and culture enthusiasts!
Best time to visit Wat Mahathat
The temple is open from eight in the morning till 5 in the evening. Since there is no shelter apart from a few trees, we would advise going early in the morning to truly experience its magic!
The entrance fee is 50 baht per person. Explore the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exotic cuisine with our exclusive Thailand Travel Packages, offering an unforgettable journey through this enchanting Southeast Asian destination.
How to reach Wat Mahathat
From the Suvarnabhumi airport it might take roughly about 26 minutes to an hour depending on your mode of transportation.
Type of transport | Details | Time |
| Change to bus after getting down at Phaya Thai | Approximately 1 hour |
| To Khao San road | 1-1.5 hours |
| Line 126 | Approximately 1 hour |
| - | Approximately 26 minutes |
| - | Approximately 26 minutes |
Attractions near Wat Mahathat
Wat Ratchaburana
Very similar to Wat Mahathat, this temple is also built on regal and political foundations. It is comparatively less crowded and offers a more peaceful experience when compared to Wat Mahathat. This is one of the lesser known temples among the five main temples of the Ayutthaya kingdom
Historic city of Ayutthaya
An assimilation of well preserved temples constructed during the Ayutthaya era, the historic city takes you into a whole other world. If you are history buff or someone who fills up on cultural information on the first excuse you get, you should definitely check this place out!
Bang Lan night market
When you have had enough food for thought exploring historic relics, turn to Bang Lan night market for a feast in street food! A favorite among locals, this market has something from everything. Do check out coffee shops and nightclubs that suit your vibe!
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a signature Bangkok tourist attraction from the 18th century. Ornately designed, it treasures the temple of the emerald Buddha within itself. The palace requires visitors to abide by the dress code, so it would be advisable not to wear sleeveless clothes.
Wat Mahathat opens up a beautiful gateway into the Buddhist temple world hidden coyly within the city of Bangkok. Discover more such temples that give you a sneak peek into the past, with Pickyourtrail. Customize your itinerary with myriad choices of activities, hotels and restaurants and bring to life your dream vacation plan to Bangkok!
Must Read: Best Places to Stay in Thailand
You can opt for one of these four options - the metro, local bus, taxi or shuttle service from the Suvarnabhoomi airport
The temple is not very strict with regulations, however it is still a place of worship so it is advisable to maintain decorum
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