AYUTTHAYA TEMPLES, THAILAND

I visited the Ayutthaya Temples (UNESCO World Heritage Site) on an excursion whilst staying in Bangkok, Thailand. The temples were built from 1350 to 1767 when Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam.

I enjoyed visiting the various sites that had a mystical and enchanting quality to them. I also liked the architecture and design of the ancient temples, that were solid and sculptural yet had a de-constructivist element at the same time. There was somewhat of a rhythmic yet tranquil and ordered layout to the sites, as in the case of Wat Ratchaburana for example, in perspective the architecture involved fluctuating heights, shapes and so on but on plan the design was symmetrical. Furthermore, the many prangs, chedis and statues together with the natural landscape created infinite transformative viewpoints, alluring one to walk along paths of discovery.

Worship is still practiced today in the vicinity of the ancient temples. One example was of a small reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. This is a ritual of worship, as each believer visits the Buddha a small piece of gold leaf is placed on the Buddha, eventually the Buddha is completely covered. The placement of the gold leaf has significance too, so if for example someone is creative and wants to be inspired regarding creativity with their hands, they will place the gold leaf on Buddha’s hands to help bring that wish to fruition, and so on.