Tour Guide, Bangkok, Thailand
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History of Wat Mahathat- Wat Mahathat first fell into ruin in the early 16th century when the main prang was said to have collapsed. The restoration took place a few years after by the then King Prasatthong ordered workers to restore the temple. In 1767, it was believed the Burmese army stormed Ayutthaya and destroyed and set fire to the temple, leaving it a ruin once more. Many Buddha statues were destroyed and the temple was left alone until the late 1950s when modern restoration began on the site. The most popular tourist attraction of Wat Mahathat is a tree whose roots have grown around the head of the Buddha statue. No one knows exactly how it got there, but one theory suggests that during the period of ruin, the tree just happened to grow around the head of the Buddha. Another theory claims that during its final collapse in 1911, the site was plagued with looters, and one thief hid the head of the Buddha in the tree, only to never return. In the early 16th century, Wat Mahathat was a place where royal ceremonies and events were held. It was said that during that time, the Ayutthayan Kings would give offerings to the good and pray for the whole country.
How to get there- From Bangkok, the best way to reach Ayutthaya is via taxi, boat, or rail. Once inside the city, there will be many tuk-tuks, taxis and tour operators who will be happy to take you there. The temple is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm with an entrance fee of 50 baht. Please remember to dress appropriately.