Phra Chedi Wat Phra Buddhabat Takpha พระเจดีย์วัดพระพุทธบาทตากผ้า -

พระเจดีย์วัดพระพุทธบาทตากผ้า - Phra Chedi Wat Phra Buddhabat Takpha

The splendid Wat Phra Buddhabat.by Thailand-World-Temple

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History and legend have become confused over the years. Around 1615 the Ayutthaya King Songtham,1610-28, sent Thai monks to Ceylon to pay homage to a footprint of Buddha. Singhalese monks, however, pointed out - according to Pali texts - that one of the five "genuine" footprints of Buddha to be found in the world was on Siamese territory. Shortly afterwards this place was discovered by a hunter: an injured stag showed him the way to a water-filled foot-shaped depression in the ground. On drinking the water he was cured of a bad skin disease from which he had suffered for years. This miracle was reported to the king who had a temple built here.
It was destroyed in 1765 by the Burmese shortly before their invasion of Ayutthaya, the present buildings were built around 1800 by King Rama I on several hills. The mondhop with the legendary footprint is a richly decorated work in blue and gold. A high tripartite staircase with the body of a five-headed naga winding up its balustrade leads to the terrace bordered by white balustrades. Twenty narrow columns bear the ornate pyramid-shaped roof decorated with colorful glass mosaics which becomes a ringed spire ending with a delicate peak. Various large bronze bells hang on the terrace, gifts from pilgrims. The doors are beautifully inlaid with mother-of-pearl, the floor inside with the footprint heaped with votive gifts is covered by a mat of silver threads. The coffered ceiling is ornately decorated.