In countries like Cambodia and Thailand, the epic tales of Lord Rama and his divine journey are revered, just as they are in India. Speaking of Thailand, the capital once was Ayodhya, and its kings proudly trace their lineage to Lord Rama himself.
Interestingly, when the Ram temple in Ayodhya was being constructed, soil from Ayutthaya was brought in, along with water from Thailand’s three major rivers—the Chao Phraya, Lopburi, and Pa Sak. Located just 56 kilometers from Bangkok, Ayutthaya holds a unique connection to Lord Rama. The day of the Ram Mandir’s consecration in India saw vibrant celebrations in Ayutthaya, with lamps being lit in temples associated with the Ramayana.
The first ruler of Ayutthaya, King Ramathibodi, laid the foundation for a dynasty where the names of successive rulers also included ‘Ram’. The word ‘Ramathibodi’ became a title used to address all the kings of Ayutthaya. In Thailand, the Ramayana is referred to as ‘Ramakien’, a version translated into Sanskrit by Padma Bhushan awardee, Satya Vrat Shastri. The ties between Thailand and Lord Rama are much deeper than just the name of the city. After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese, the new capital was established at Bangkok, where the king declared himself as Rama I. He also wrote the Ramakien and made it the national epic, depicting scenes from the Ramakien on the walls of temples, despite being a Buddhist.
Thailand also celebrates Diwali, known locally as Loy Krathong. At Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, you can find sculptures representing the churning of the ocean, as described in the Vishnu Purana. A trip to Thailand isn’t complete without visiting Ayutthaya, where one can witness the profound cultural connection the country shares with India.
The Enigmatic Ayutthaya
The rulers of ancient Ayutthaya considered themselves descendants of Lord Rama, a belief that continues with the present Chakri dynasty. King Rama X, the current monarch of Thailand, also traces his lineage to the great deity.
On the day of the Ram Mandir’s consecration, various events were held in Thailand, including the creation of a replica of the temple.
In the Thai Ramayana (Ramakien), the villain Ravana is replaced by Thotsakan, while Lord Rama is known as Phra Ram.
The Ram Mandir’s consecration and the renewed interest in the Ramayana have brought attention to the historical and religious connections between India and Thailand. It is possible that travel agencies will soon include Ayutthaya in their tours to destinations like Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Bangkok, and Phi Phi Islands.
During its golden age, Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siam kingdom, following Sukhothai. It was ruled by 33 kings, each bearing the name ‘Ram’. At its peak, the city had a population of over a million, an impressive feat for the time.
The word ‘Ramakien’ is a blend of ‘Ram’ and ‘Akhyana’, signifying the epic saga of Lord Rama. While similar to the Ramayana, the Ramakien is uniquely Thai in its cultural nuances, with details on attire, weaponry, geography, and more.
The ruins of several temples in Ayutthaya still tell the story of the Ramayana and Buddhist teachings. Numerous statues of Buddha can also be found, along with the ashes of Siamese rulers, carefully preserved in three stupas.
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