Embraced by Time: The Buddha’s Serenity in Bodhi Roots

Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya, built in the late 14th century, was once a royal monastery and spiritual center of the old Siamese capital. In 1767, Burmese invaders destroyed much of the city and decapitated countless Buddha statues, leaving the area abandoned for many years. The iconic Buddha head, now gently held by the roots of a bodhi tree, is thought to have been left behind after this devastation and slowly enveloped by the growing roots over time. Today, the Buddha head in tree roots is a powerful symbol of Ayutthaya’s resilience and a highlight for visitors at this UNESCO World Heritage site.