Ayuthaya Thailand one hour outside of Bangkok was the scene of Thailands original renaissance. The Kingdom grew to prominence when rice was the regions most important currency. However, when Burmese troops sacked the city in 1767, the capital was moved to Bangkok. This move also signaled a shift from a purely agricultural society to one that was more in tune with commerce. This video explores som eof the beautiful ancient temples and ruins in the area as well as art and sculptures around the numerous temples and sacred spots of Thai Asian ancient culture.
The Thai Kingdom grew to prominence when rice was the regions most important currency. However, when Burmese troops sacked the city in 1767, the capital was moved to Bangkok. This move also signaled a shift from a purely agricultural society to one that was more in tune with commerce.
Dating from the 12th century, Bayon Temple is the spectacular central temple of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. The complex is located just to the north of the famous Angkor WatBuilt around 1190 AD by King Jayavarman VII, Bayon is a Buddhist temple but it incorporates elements of Hindu cosmology. Angkor Thom was built as a square, the sides of which run exactly north to south and east to west. Standing in the exact center of the walled city, Bayon Temple represents the intersection of heaven and earth. Bayon is known for its huge stone faces of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, with one facing outward and keeping watch at each compass point. The curious smiling image, thought by many to be a portrait of Jayavarman himself, has been dubbed by some the “Mona Lisa of Southeast Asia.” There are 51 smaller towers surrounding Bayon, each with four faces of its own.
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angor Cambodia, built for the king Suryavaraman ll in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city.
A photo of the famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia
As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia appearing on its national flag and it is the country’s prime attraction for visitors.
A photo of the famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia
Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensivebas releifs and for the numerous guardian spirits adorning its walls.
The modern name, Angkor Wat, means “City Temple”; Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which comes from the Urdu word nagara meaning capital.
As you have probably noticed, I love to travel and I love both the city and the deep jungle and nature. When I am in Asia, one of my favorite traveling destinations, I love to go to the wats or temples of Thailand.
At the wat, everyone is accepted and can find peace and solstice even in crowded and noisy Bangkok. The temples are often large and elaborate and have amazing architecture some say has been borrowed from outher nearby countries as well.
Thai temple art
There are also small temples or shrines at almost every street corner or business and you can be walking outside the largest mall complex and then you will see an outdoor temple! It seems like no expense was spared in the design and architecture of Thailand’s many Buddist temples.
beautiful temple statues
About Michael
Michael Pluznick is a studio musician and recording arts specialist. Read more about Michael.
