Wat Maheyong

This is a temple complex that dates from the 1400’s. It was first restored in 1711, and then destroyed again during the Burmese invasion. The ordination hall and several other building are in good restored condition. A visit here mixes the old with the new. The monastery and retreat center are fascinating and peaceful to walk through - dress respectfully and be a friendly observer if visiting. We walked through the grounds and sat in the tree shaded groves to take a break from the hot ruin viewing and it was rewarding! They have many structures currently under construction like Prasat Para Borommathat Chedi Mana Viharn

Wat ( Thai tongue means temple ) Maheyong is located on 95 Moo ( village ) 2, Tambon ( sub district ) Han Tra, Amphoe ( district ) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000. This abandoned temple was originally built in 1438 A.D. ( 1981 B.E. ), during the reign of King Borommaracha the second ( 1424- 1448 A.D.or 1967- 1991 B.E. ) of Suphannaphum Dynasty also known as Chao Sam Phraya or King Thai Sa. In 1709 A.D. ( 2252 B.E. ) major restoration of the temple was carried out and it took three years to finish, that was in the reign of King Thai Sa ( during 1709- 1732 A.D. or 2252- 2275 B.E. ). Following the restoration and administered royal affair as the administrative center, the royal residence was built on the southern area of the temple, resulting to the temple become larger and the most significant monasteries before the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 A.D. ( 2310 B.E. ). Due to the fall of Ayutthaya in the aforementioned year , the Maheyong temple was ruined and abandoned ever since. Composition of this temple are the large rectangular-shaped ubosot or ordination hall with the size of 17 meters wide and 35 meters long face east, surrounded by 38 meters wide and 72 meters long inner boundary wall, small chedi on top of each corner. Passage way at the east gate leading to the inside area, three doors and extended portico on the main front, two doors and extended portico on the back side, main entrance is wider than others, roof supported by two rows of columns two aisles are result. Thai architecture style shown on the thick wall, deep door, wall and column taper toward top, totally six windows ( three windows on each side ), housed two large pedestrian and sandstone, lacquered and finished with gold leaf Lord Buddha image. Restoration on the Late Ayutthaya period resulting to the slightly curve in the middle of its length in chinese junk style that influenced by chinese architecture, popular typical of that period. Double semas ( leaf-shaped flat thick stone plate ) marked boundary of ubosot, royal temple indicated. Chedi on the west side of ordination hall, chattra ( king 's mark in umbrella roof shaped ) or spine was left over on the ground, eighty elephants surrounding chedi ( eighty elephants represent the Lord Buddha enter the parinirvana at the age of eighty ). The principle chedi are four bell- shaped subordinate chedis, north and south outer walls are octagonal and bell- shaped chedis, the quadrangular outer wall with the size of 95 meters wide and 214 meters long has four large roofed gates entrance implied the Late Ayutthaya architecture style. This Wat Maheyong ancient temple ruins was registered as National Archaeological Site in 1941 A.D. ( 2484 B.E.) by the Fine Art Department. New Wat Maheyong Ayutthaya City was built close to Wat Maheyong Ancient Temple Ruins and used as the Buddhism 's place of practice, nowadays. This temple open every day from 0800 am. until 0800 pm.