The fervour surrounding the Ramlala pran Pratishtha program in ayodhya on january 22 has transcended national boundaries, capturing the enthusiasm of indians abroad. In this celebratory atmosphere, an interesting parallel can be drawn with Ayutthaya, often referred to as the 'Ayodhya' of a foreign land—Thailand.
The fervor surrounding the Ramlala pran Pratishtha program in ayodhya on january 22 has transcended national boundaries, capturing the enthusiasm of indians abroad. In this celebratory atmosphere, an interesting parallel can be drawn with Ayutthaya, often referred to as the 'Ayodhya' of a foreign land—Thailand.
Ayutthaya, situated in thailand, boasts a predominantly Buddhist population, with Hindus constituting less than one percent. Despite this, remnants of Hindu influence are evident through numerous temples scattered across the country, pointing to a historical presence of Hindus in thailand dating back to the 6th century.
During the 9th century, Ayutthaya was under the Khmer Empire, profoundly influenced by Hinduism. Jayavarman, the reigning king at that time, played a pivotal role in shaping Ayutthaya's destiny. He designated Ayutthaya as the ancient capital of thailand and oversaw the construction of several Hindu temples across the empire. The people of Ayutthaya revered Lord ram as their ideal, and to this day, many residents continue to worship Lord Rama, incorporating recitations of the Ramayana into their religious rituals.
Notably, some customs of the royal family in Ayutthaya mirror certain traditions of Hinduism. The significance of Ayutthaya is underscored by the fact that soil from this city was sent for the Ramlala pran Pratistha program in Ayodhya. Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the ram Janmabhoomi Trust, emphasized the parallels between Ayutthaya and ayodhya, describing Ayutthaya as nothing less than the ayodhya of Thailand. This recognition has resonated on social media, where many are affectionately referring to Ayutthaya as the foreign counterpart of Ayodhya.
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