Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • India
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. India
  3. 2021
  4. April 15
  5. Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya Historical Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, Thailand
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya Historical Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, Thailand

April 15, 2021

Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya Historical Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, Thailand

© travelstock44/Alam

Ruins of a royal temple

In present-day Thailand sit the ruins of the ancient kingdom that preceded it, Ayutthaya. Wat Phra Si Sanphet, shown here, was the holiest site in the capital of that kingdom, a royal temple containing a 52-foot tall, golden Buddha among other treasures. The first king of Ayutthaya, Ramathibodi I, ordered the construction of a royal palace here in 1350. Nearly a century later, the palace was moved to a different location in the city and the former palace grounds were converted to a holy site. The three structures shown are called chedis, bell-like structures, topped with miniature chedis on their roofs. After serving as the seat of the kingdom for 417 years, the capital city of Ayutthaya was sacked in 1767 by the invading Burmese, who melted down the copious gold of the temples and palaces, then set the buildings on fire. All but these three chedis were completely destroyed, and over time they fell into ruin.

We’re featuring these ruins because today is Songkran, Thailand’s traditional (though not official) New Year and a very popular water festival. What began as a ritual of pouring water over statues of Buddhas and each other as a way to signify purification and the washing away of sin and bad luck, has become a good-natured, multiday water battle enjoyed across the nation.

outdoor tree cloud sky buddha buddhism pagoda sunrise text city tower temple place of worship

Related Images

Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern IrelandDunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Mysuru Palace, Mysuru, KarnatakaMysuru Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka
Bandra–Worli Sea Link, Mumbai, MaharashtraBandra–Worli Sea Link, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, CanadaBruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada
Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United StatesSpire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
Joshua trees under the Milky Way, California, United StatesJoshua trees under the Milky Way, California, United States
Zion National Park, Utah, United StatesZion National Park, Utah, United States
Hot air balloons over Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia, TürkiyeHot air balloons over Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia, Türkiye

Today on Bing

Beach art on Sauveterre Beach by Zarpo, Les Sables-d'Olonne, Vendee, France

Beach art on Sauveterre Beach by Zarpo, Les Sables-d'Olonne, Vendee, France

Apr 15, 2025
The RedBall Project art installation, Centraal Station, Antwerp, Belgium

The RedBall Project art installation, Centraal Station, Antwerp, Belgium

Apr 15, 2024
Ornate arcade at the Red Fort of Delhi, India

Ornate arcade at the Red Fort of Delhi, India

Apr 15, 2023
Arc de Triomphe wrapped in posthumous art installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude on September 24, 2021, in Paris, France

Arc de Triomphe wrapped in posthumous art installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude on September 24, 2021, in Paris, France

Apr 15, 2022
Bhagsu waterfalls in the Dharamsala region, Himachal

Bhagsu waterfalls in the Dharamsala region, Himachal

Apr 15, 2020
A woman looks at Yayoi Kusama's 'With All My Love for The Tulips, I Pray Forever (2011)'

A woman looks at Yayoi Kusama's 'With All My Love for The Tulips, I Pray Forever (2011)'

Apr 15, 2019

Related Tags

outdoor sky cloud landscape rock water nature mountain tree building hillside beach lake valley canyon grass hill stone surrounded island
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.