There are numerous places that visitors should consider to schedule before your journey and Wat Lokayasutharam is regarded as a must-visited destination. As usual, after visiting Wat Mahathat and Wat Na Phra Meru in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, travelers continue to visit Wat Lokayasutharam, renowned for its reclining Buddha!
This temple ruin is located just to the west of the Royal Palace. Moreover, most of its Late Ayutthaya period structures were unfortunately destroyed within the Burmese raids. Wat Lokayasutharam (also called Phra Noon) represents Ayutthaya’s largest reclining Buddha. The largest temple in Thailand is Wat Po, in Bangkok. This stone statue is currently lying in the middle of a clearing surrounding the forest. It was contrasted beautifully with the blue sky and green of the trees and clad in an orange robe.
Reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam
Visitors can make some offerings if you desire. Thai People usually come here to pray and ask for blessings. An annual robe - offering ceremony is particularly held in April, sometimes during the Songkran festival (called water festival). There, fresh coconut drink served by local vendors is also really refreshing after a long day of sightseeing.
The huge toes of Wat Lokayasutharam’s Reclining Buddha, which faces west in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. However, the Reclining Buddha managed to survive and stretches 8 meters high and 37 meters long. It was used to be encased by a monastery building (which is only foundations nowadays) and although the Buddha itself is quite weathered from being exposed to the elements, restoration work in the 1950s has ensured its survival.
Smiling face of giant Buddha
The Buddha faces directly the west and heads resting on a lotus flower as well as apparently the vertical straight arm, which is supporting the head indicates. Consequently, it was built in the Middle Ayutthaya period (post 16th century). During the Early Ayutthaya period, Reclining Buddhas were sculpted with their supporting arm folded, making them distinctively different. Another Buddha’s standout feature is its toes which are all exactly the same length, with the feet alone measuring 5 meters in length! Incense burning as offerings in front of Wat Lokayasutharam’s Reclining Buddha in the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
Tourists come to worship at Wat Lokayasutharam
When travelers stepped out of the tour bus, there were locals there waiting to sell offerings for the Buddha, such as incense and lowers. There was also a small altar beside the Buddha. There, we could leave our offerings, before capturing the entire Reclining Buddha in one single photo frame!
Wat Lokayasutharam
Wat Lokayasutharam is located just to the west of Wat Phra Si Sanphet on the historic island of Ayutthaya. It’s within walking distance of Borarn Palace, Wat Warapho and Wat Worachettharam, as well as being around ten minutes’ walk from Wat Phra Mongkon Bophit. It can be accessed by tuk or taxi along the road at the back of Wat Worapho or through the entrance to the former Alcoholic Beverage Factory.
One more note is that if you come to this temple, you should dress respectfully (with long pants or skirts and no bare shoulders) and remove your shoes when entering the temples. Your journey is accepted daily from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.