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You are here: Home / Thailand Photos / Iconic Image of Buddha’s Head and the Banyan Tree

Iconic Image of Buddha’s Head and the Banyan Tree

Updated April 2, 2019 By Darren C

The head of Buddha trapped amidst the roots of a banyan tree at Wat Mahathat in the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya is probably the most iconic image associated with Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. If you do a Google image search for Ayutthaya Thailand, “the head of Buddha overgrown by the roots of a banyan tree” will appear several times on the first page.

the iconic image of the Buddha head in the banyan tree roots at Wat Mahathat, Thailand
The head of Buddha amidst the roots of a Banyan tree at Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Exactly how the head of Buddha came to rest amidst the roots of this banyan tree is a mystery, but Ayutthaya was over run by the Burmese in 1767, much devastation was inflicted upon Ayutthaya and the temples were not spared.

close up image of the Buddha head in the banyan tree roots at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya, Thailand
The Banyan tree roots growing over the head of Buddha, leaving his face exposed.

The head of the Buddha probably came to rest on the ground during the conflict, the banyan tree which has grown nearby has aerial roots which have grown downwards into the ground and in the process have grown around the Buddha head. That’s one theory anyway, got one of your own, just drop it in the comments.

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Category: Thailand Photos Tags: Spirituality, Thai Life & Culture

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Darren CI'm Darren, a British ex-pat in Pattaya for more than 20 years and a blogger just passing on a few tips and things you might like to know about Pattaya. Read More…

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