The Tree Bound Buddha of Wat Mahathat
The Buddha head wrapped in Tree Roots at Wat Mahathat has become one of the most iconic symbols of Thailand. Wat Mahathat was built in the 14th century in what was then the capitol of Siam; Ayutthaya. In 1867 the armies of Burma sacked the city and the temple was abandoned and fell into ruin. The Buddha of Wat Mahathat was discovered during a restoration effort in the 1950s. No one knows exactly how the one of the most enigmatic symbols of Thailand came to be formed but sometimes life is more of an adventure with a little mystery.
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Great photo! I somehow missed this both times I’ve been to Thailand. :/
It’s incredible how those trees grow – so glad they’re protecting Buddha as the face is so well rendered. Beautiful.
When I first saw I thought it was sure taken in a temple in Angkor Wat. It is an amazing feat of nature and a great photo.
For me, seeing the Buddha head in the tree roots was the highlight of the trip to Ayutthaya, it’s perfection.
Ayutthaya was a very pleasant surprise. We had gone for a running event and everything else was a bonus. Serendipity placed us in a guesthouse less than 100 meters from the Buddha Head.