Temple In Bangkok

Wat Rajasittharam Rajaworawihara ( Wat Rajasit)

2007-12-12T08:55:00.003+07:00

It is located close to the Charoenpart Bridge on Isaraphap road in Thonburi. The temple dated from the Ayutthaya Period and it was called originally Wat Phrab. King Rama I ordered the construction of a new temple next to Wat Phrab and the two temples were combined as one. In 1808 the temple was again renovated.

King Rama III resided at this temple while he has a monk, and after he ascended the throne, he ordered another renovation of the temple.

Wat Rajasittharam has several important buildings. The Phra Tamnak Chan was constructed by King Rama II for the future King Rama III when he was a monk. It is a small building with two rooms, the ground floor is of bricks and mortar, while the upper floor is of sandalwood (chan). The apex of gable ( Cho fa, bai raka ) is beautifully decorated with mirrors. King Rama III subsequently had the building moved next to a Chinese-style building. The sandalwood, which had become rotten, was replaced with other types of wood such as teng (shorea), rang (dipterocarpaceae) and teak so that only part of the original sandalwood remains.The Phra Ubosot was reconstructed in the Third Reign when the temple was completely renovated. Murals in the Phra Ubosot depict scene of a royal procession on land but the paintings have badly deteriorated.

Detail Wat :
Wat Rajasittharam Rajaworawihara ( Wat Rajasit)Isaraphap Road, Bangkokyai, Bangkok.

Wat Rajapradit Sathitmahasimaram Rajaworavihara (Wat Rajapradit)

2007-12-08T14:58:00.004+07:00

Location is situated next to Saranrom Park closed to Khlong Ku Muang Derm Road, on the opposite side of the canal from Wat Rajabopit.

King Rama IV ordered the construction of Wat Rajapradit Sathitmahasimaram in 1864 as the first temple of Dhammayutika sect. The phra vihara luang is constructed on a high base and is beautifully decorated. In the temple there are eight stone pillars, each surmounted by a carving of the Buddhist Wheel of Law (Dhammachak), one for each of the eight directions, hence the name "Mahasimaram".

During the construction of the phra vihara luang, which is the phra ubosot, it was found that the ground was rather low and the earth soft. If earth and sand were used as landfill the ground would still continue to subside. King Rama IV therefore ordered that broken garlic jars be used as landfill because the jars was especially strong.In the phra vihara luang, there are murals depicting the royal ceremonies of the twelve months, including the Giant Swing Ceremony, Songkran, Visakha Puja as well as a picture of King Rama IV using as a telescope for his astronomical studies. On one side of the phra vihara luang there is a standing statue of King Rama IV and nearby there is a statue of the Supreme Patriarch (Sa) in a chedi covered with marble tiles.

Detail Wat :

Wat Rajapradit Sathitmahasimaram RajaworaviharaSaranrom Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok

Wat Boworn

2007-12-07T07:56:00.002+07:00

Wat Bowornniwet Vihara Rajaworavihara ( Wat Boworn ) is situated near the Wan Chart Bridge and Banglamphoo Market.
Prince Mahasakdipolsep, vice-king of the Third Reign, ordered the construction of this temple along with Wat Rangsisuthawas and it was built between 1824 to1832. At first the temple was called Wat Mai, but when king Rama III invited the future King Rama IV, who was then a monk, to be abbot of the temple , the name was changed to Wat Bowornniwet Vihara. In the Six Reign Wat Rangsisuthawas, which was in poor condition, was incorporated into Wat Bowornniwet Vihara. Wat Boworn is the residence of members of the royal family who enter the monkhood. It has been the residence of many the supreme patriarchs of the Buddhist Church in Thailand, and it is the site of Mahamakut Rajavittayalai, Thailand's first Buddhist institution of the high education.

Because the temple was built during the Third Reign, it was many examples of Chinese art, such as phra ubosot, vihara keng, vihara Phra Sassada and the door of phra ubosot where the Chinese deity " Siew Kang " is carved on the walls as a guardian spirit.

Within the phra ubosot there are murals that are the work of Khrua In Khong. Of special interest are the painting above the windows illustrating Dhamma teachings using European figures and scenes. The murals also employed perspective as in Western style paintings.

There are two presiding Buddha images in the phra ubosot , namely Phra Suwannakhet or Luang Pho To, and Phra Buddha Chinasi, which was brought down from Phitsanulok.In the monastic area there are important buildings such as the Phra Panya-a three story European - style building where King Rama IV resided when he was a monk, the Tamnak Phetch, built in the Sixth Reign, the lower floor of which is now used for gatherings of Buddhist monks and which also houses a life-size standing statue of King Rama IV, and another important building is the Phor Por Ror Building that houses a museum where provide the birth-death knowledge . Phad-yod etc.

Detail Wat

Wat Bowornniwet Vihara RajaworaviharaBowornniwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Tel. +66022810831-3
Around the temple area open 8 AM - 5 PM.
Buddhist temple open Weekdays 8.00 - 8.40 AM and 8 - 9 PM.
Buddhist Sabbath open 8 - 12 AM and 1 - 4 PM

Wat Boromniwas ( Wat Borom )

2007-12-07T07:50:00.001+07:00

Wat Boromniwas ( Wat Borom ) is near the Bo Bae Market. It was called originally Wat Nok. King Rama IV ordered the construction of this temple while he was still a monk. It was intended to be a forest temple ( Aranyawasee ) companion to Wat Bowornniwet Vihara, which was intended to be the community temple ( Khamawasee ). King Rama V ordered the temple to be renovated and renamed it Wat Boromniwas.

Of importance is the Phra Tosapholayarn, a Buddha image in the marn vichai pose that is installed as the presiding image in the phra ubosot. In the phra ubosot there are unusual murals that were painted by Khrua In Khong, the leading artist of the reign, depicting landscapes and people drawn in the Western style, similar to those found at Wat Bowornniwet Vihara. Between the windows there are scenes depicting activities of Buddhist laymen and monk, such as the ordination ceremony, presentation of robes for the monkhood, observing the precepts during Buddhist Lent, the Loy Krathong festival, Kathina robe presentation and offer picked-up robed, and making merit on the feasts of Magha Puja and Visakha Puja. Above the windows there are scenes in which the people are all Europeans and include scenes of a train and stargazing with a telescope.Also of interest are the monks' residences and the entrance arch, which are in the European style, the work of craftsmen in the reign of King Rama V.

Detail Wat

Wat BoromniwasBo Bae Market, Bangkok

WAt Benjamabopit Dusitwanaram (Wat Ben)

2007-12-07T04:33:00.002+07:00

The Marble Temples, in located near Government House and the Equestrian Statue of King Rama IV. It is an old temple during from the Ayutthaya Period and was originally names Wat Laem or Wat Saithong. During the reign of King Rama IV, the temple was restored by five princes and renamed Wat Bejamabopit (five princes). In 1899 , King Rama V had the temple completely rebuilt and bestowed upon it the name Wat Benjamabopit Dusitwanaram , meaning the Temple of the Fifth King. He placed Prince Narissaranuwattiwong, the nation's chief architect, in change of the design and construction.

The name Marble Temple derives from the phra ubosot , which is square and completely covered with white marble . In it is enshrined a reproduction of the Phra Buddhachinarat image, which King Rama V had copied from the original in Phitsanulok Province.

In the cloister extending from the north, around the west, to the south of the phra ubosot , there are 52 Buddha images of various styles and periods.In the monastic residence area is a royal ordination hall, which was reconstructed there after having been moved from the Grand Palace. It was in this King Rama V lived when he entered the monkhood. The murals in this building are of historical interest, showing courtly customs and traditions during the reigns of King Rama IV and Rama V.

Detail Wat :

Wat Benjamabopit Dusitwanaram (Wat Ben)Nakhonpathom Road, Dusit, Bangkok

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

2007-12-07T03:59:00.001+07:00

During the Bangkok Period, the temple has been renovated and extended, and it was given its present name by King Rama IV.

The most prominent structure, which stands in the front, is the phra prang. This is a Khmer-style chedi which is 81 meters high. Adjacent to this at each of four cardinal derection are smaller prang and mondop. All of these structures are decorated with brightly colored pieces of porcelain. Tourist often climb the stairs of the prang to gain a panoramic view of the city and the river. In days gone by when visitors from other lands arrived by sailing up the river, the prang was the landmark telling them they had at last arrived in Bangkok.

There is a great deal of interesting art in the temple. The murals in the phra ubosot were executed by artists during the reign of King Rama V. Around the phra ubosot are many Chinese statues as well as statues of elephant, and near its entrance are the statues of Nai Nok and Nai Reuang, two men who immolated themselves to attain anlightenment.

This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 meter central pagoda (phra prang) which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho. Wat Arun is open daily from 08:30 - 17:30.

Detail Wat :

Wat Arunrajawararam is situated on the west, or Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River38 Arun amarin road, Watarun District,Bangkokyai, Bangkok

Tel: +66465-5640

Wat Dusidaram Woravihara ( Wat Dusid )

2007-12-05T14:58:00.028+07:00

It is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the mouth of the Bangkok Noi Canal and the approach to the Pin Klao Bridge on the Thoburi side. It was an ancient temple called originally Wat Sao Prakhon. Somdej Phra Chao Boromawongther Kromluang Srisunthornthep, a son of King Rama I, had the temple reestablished. Krom Phrarajawang Boworn Mahasenanurak renovated the temple in 1913 and rename it Wat Dusidaram . A small, neighboring temple which was abandoned, called Wat Phumarin Rajapaksi, was also incorporated into Wat Dusidaram.

Also of interest is the gallery running around the phra ubosot with 64 niches cut into the wall, each niche containing a standing Buddha image in the thawai netr pose. There were also murals along this gallery, but they have long since faded away. Outside the gallery walls there is a redented phra chedi decorated with plaster fish, mermaids and mythical elephant-like animals all around the base. It is commonly called the Chedi Pla or fish chedi. It is now in poor condition. There is also the old phra ubosot of Wat Phumarin Rajapaksi which, though small, is beautifully proportioned. On the gable in plaster is depicted Narai riding the Garuda and a peacock displaying its tail studded with colored glass. Another interesting structure is a rather small old phra vihara with a curved base in the shape of a junk.

In the phra ubosot there are murals which were executed by artists of the First Reign. The murals on all four walls depict scenes from the lives of the Buddha. In front of the presiding Buddha image is a scenes of Marn Phachon. Highly praised is the scene of hell on the wall behind the presiding image, which appears very life-like.

Detail Wat :

Wat Dusidaram WoraviharaArun amarin, Bankoknoi, Bangkok.

Wat Anong

2007-12-05T14:58:00.027+07:00

Wat Anongkharam Woravihara (Wat Anong) is located on Somdej Chao Phraya Road . The temple dates from the early Rattanakosin Period. It was first named Wat Noi Kham Thaem, after its builder, Than Phuying Noi, wife of Somdej Chao Phraya Borom Mahaphichaiyart ( That Bunnag ). The temple was built as a companion to her husband temple, Wat Phichayatikaram. King Rama IV later renamed the temple Wat Anongkharam.

The stucco decorations on the gables of the phra ubosot and on the window and door frames of the phra ubosot and phra vihara are highly regarded for their beauty.

The presiding image in the phra vihara, called Phra Chulanark, is an image of the Sukhothai Period in the marn vichai pose, cast from metal and covered with gold. On either side of the phra vihara there is a mondop, beautiful and unusual to behold. The eastern mondop houses the Phra Buddha Saiyat image, copied from Wat Rajathiwas. The western mondop houses a replica of the Phra Buddhabat, which is cast from metal.

Another beautiful object to be found at Wat Anongkharam is the Tripitaka bookcase, the work of late Ayutthaya craftsmen. It is decorated with gold drawings depicting a royal procession on land and on water. On the exterior of the doors are inscriptions relating an episode of story of Mahosot, in which the enemy has laid seige to the city.Also of interest are monks' residences, where the buildings and fences are of beautiful design.

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

2007-12-05T14:58:00.026+07:00

Wat Phrasrirattana Sasadaram (Wat Phra Kaew), or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, situated within the Grand Palace, near Sanam Luang, is a sacred symbol of the Rattanakosin, or Bangkok, Dyansty and the most important temple in realm. It was built by King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, at the same time as the Grand Palace in 1782, when he established Bangkok as his capital, in order to serve as the palace chapel, in which traditional royal ceremonies would be conducted. It thus has a sanctuary for the performance of Buddhist rites, but no residences for monks.

The temple is richly endowed with fine art and architecture. The Emerald Buddha image is enshrined in the phra ubosot, the exterior walls of which are covered with beautiful designs in gold leaf and glass, while the interior walls bear murals depicting the life of Buddha and other subjects.

The phra mondop, or library, is set on a high base surmounted by a stepped pyramid. Inside is reserved a chest containing the Tripitaka, the Buddhist sacred scripture.

The Royal Pantheon, or Prasat Thepbidon, has a high spire. Inside are enshrined statures of the eight previous kings of the Chakri Dynasty.

Next to phra mondop is a miniature replica of Angor Wat, which King Rama IV had constructed.The walls of the cloister are decorated with murals showing scenes from the Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana. These were originally painted during the reign of King Rama I and have been restored several times.

Detail Wat :
Open 08.30 - 15.30 for Foreigner
08.00 - 16.00 for Thai People

Credits : dhammathai and pateawthai

Wat Intharavihara ( Wat In )

2007-12-05T14:58:00.024+07:00

Located on Visut Kasat Road, near Bang Khun Phrom Intersection opposite the Bank of Thailand . The temple was built before the founding of the capital and was originally called Wat Bang Khun Phrom Nok. It was renovated and renamed Wat Intharam when King Rama I provided land in Bang khun Phrom Sub-district for the settlement of prisoners of war from Vientiane. Chao In, an uncle of Chao Noi Khiew Khom, one of the King's chief wives, renovated the temple and invited Chao Khun Phra Aranyik, a monk who had also come from Vientiane, to preside as an abbot. Chao Inthawong , the son ofSomdej Phra Boworn Rajchao Mahasakdipholasep, was responsible for a second renovation.

Chao Khun Phra Aranyik was an expert in meditation and had once been the instructor of Somdej Phra Buddhacharn ( To ) of Wat Rakhangkhositaram, who initiated the construction of Luang Pho To, a large standing Buddha image. The construction of the image had reached only to the navel when Somdej Phra Buddhacharn died. It was completed in the reign of King Rama VII.

Luang Pho To is a statue of the Buddha holding an alms bowl. When the statue was completed, the temple held a three-day celebration on 4-6 March, 1928, and this festival has been held annually ever since.King Rama VI renamed the temple Wat Intharavihara because the name was the same as Wat Intharam ( Wat Bangyirua Tai ) in Thonburi. People generally refer to the temple as Wat In, Wat In Bang Khun Phrom, or Wat Luang Pho To.

Detail Wat :

Wat Intharavihara ( Wat In )Visut Kasat Road, Bangkok

Wat Chinorasaram Woravihara ( Wat Chinoros )

2007-12-05T14:58:00.022+07:00

Located on the bank of the Morn Canal on Isaraphap Road opposite the Naval Docks. The princely monk, Somdej Phra Maha Somanachao Krom Phra Poramanuchit Chinoros ordered the construction of the temple in approximately 1836.

King Rama IV ordered the artisans to sculpt and draw pictures of the naga, or mythical serpent, in many places as a reminder of the prince's former name, which was , Prince Wasukri. He also had a crown sculpted that was placed above the frame behind the presiding Buddha image in the phra ubosot.
The phra ubosot of Wat Chinorasaram Woravihara displays artistic styles of the Third Reign. Decorative roof tiles, the chofa, bai raka gable apex ornaments, the gable decorated with plaster plants and flowers and half figures a deity with folded hands in the center, and decorated with gold leaf on pieces of glass. The door and window frames bear kanok designs in gilded plaster studded with glass. The interior door and window panels are decorated with haw or toh chin, patterns. The exteriors are decorated with lai rod nam pattern with nagas flying in the clouds. The exterior of the central door depicts Siew kang holding a fan and treading on a naga. The ceiling is painted red and decorated with naga fretwork and covered with gold leaf.

The murals in the phra ubosot differ from those found elsewhere. For example in front of the presiding Buddha image at the level of the windows, there are maps of Wat Chinoros, the canal, river and the Grand Palace and elsewhere are depictions of various temples. Sadly, however, the murals and patterns have for the most part deteriorated badly.

Detail Wat :

Wat Chinorasaram WoraviharaBankoknoi, Bangkok.

Wat Chakkrawadrajawas Woramahavihara (Wat Sam Pleum)

2007-12-05T14:58:00.021+07:00

Wat Chakkrawadrajawas Woramahavihara (Wat Sam Pleum) is located on Chakkrawad Road and Soi Wanich (Sampeng). An ancient temple dating from the Ayutthaya Period called Wat Nang Pleum , its name was changed to Wat Sam Pleum.

In approximately 1819, Chao Phraya Bodin Decha (Sing Singhaseni) , the leading general in the reign of King Rama III, began rebuilding the temple. Upon completion he presented the temple to King Rama III as a royal temple and it was given the name that is bears to this day. The temple has many interesting structures such as the large phra prang, the Mondop Phra Buddhabat, the crocodile pond, and Khao Phra Buddha Chai.

The phra vihara once housed the Phra Bang, an important Buddha image that was brought from Vientiane. At present this image resides in Luang Prabang, Laos, King IV having returned it to Laos in 1866.Besides the usual buildings that are found in a temple such as the phra ubosot, the phra vihara, of which there are three, the tripitaka tower, and the Mondop Phra Buddhabat, there is also a shrine houses a statue of Chao Phraya Bodin Decha. In front of and slightly to one side of the phra ubosot there is a pond where crocodiles were kept, the origin of the expression the "crocodiles of Wat Sam Pleum".

Detail Wat

Wat Chakkrawadrajawas WoramahaviharaChakkrawad Road, Samphanthawong, Bangkok

Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram Rajaworamahavihara ( Wat Pho)

2007-12-05T14:58:00.020+07:00

It is situated behind the Grand Palace, near the Tha Tien Pier. It is a large temple originally called Wat Photharam, that was built during the Ayutthaya Period. King Rama I ordered its complete restoration in 1789 and installed many Buddha images that were removed from abandoned temples in other parts of the country.

There are murals in the phra ubosot depicting scenes from the lives of Buddha that were painted in the Third Reign. On the window panels are decorated with lai rod nam designs and inscribed children's lullabies and folk tales, while on the walls around the phra ubosot there are bas-relief's executed on marble depicting the Ramakian.

King Rama III ordered another major renovation of the temple to make it a center of learning and art. This took 16 years to complete. Texts from treatises on various fields of knowledge were inscribed on marble slabs and placed in pavilions in the temple and stone statues. Wat Pho thus became a source of knowledge for people of all classes and has therefore been referred to as Thailand's first university.

Important features of the temple include phra vihara, phra mondop or the tripitaka tower, and the palace of a royal poet, Phra Poramanuchit Chinorot.

The Phra Buddhasaiyat, or Giant Reclining Buddha, in the phra vihara for which the temple is famed was constructed in the Third Reign. On the sole of the foot inlaid in mother of pearl is the auspicious number 108.

There are also 95 chedi of various types, the most important being the four chedi of the first four Kings of the Chakri Dynasty. There are also numerous small and large stone statues from China.

Detail Wat :

Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram (Wat Pho)Phranakhon, Bangkok

Web Site :

http://www.watpho.org

Wat Phichayayatikaram Woravihara ( Wat Phichaiyat )

2007-12-05T14:58:00.019+07:00

It is situated near the Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge, on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. It had been an abandoned temple, and then in 1841, Chao Phraya Phichaiyat ( That Bunnag ) commissioned the construction of Wat Phichaiyat and presented it to King Rama III as a royal temple. The temple was given the name of Wat Phraya Yatikaram; however, people generally call it Wat Phichaiyat.

Wat Phichaiyat has a beautiful ground. The phra ubosot is in the Chinese style and is not very large and does not have chofa, bai raka. Outside the phra ubosot there is a round stone pillars (phalai) at the base of which are bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Chinese epic "Sam Kok". On both sides of the phra ubosot are chedi on tall pedestals. The temple houses a large phra prang on a high base. This can be seen from afar, for the prang is 21 wa (42 meters) high, and the open space in front of it makes it look even taller. Of interest also are the monks' residences which are in the Western style. The once beautiful wooden fretwork and plaster decorations have mostly rotted away.

Detail Wat :

Wat Phichayayatikaram WoraviharaSomdej Chao Phraya, Khlongsan, Bangkok

Wat Rajabopit Sathitmahasimaram Rajaworavihara ( Wat Rajabopit )

2007-12-05T14:58:00.018+07:00

It is situated between Fuang Nakhon Road and Usadang Road ( Khlong Ku Muang Derm Road ), near the Ministry of Interior. King Rama V ordered its construction in 1969.

The phra ubosot, phra chedi and phra vihara have curving walls that are covered with beautiful glazed colored tiles. The doors to the phra ubosot and phra vihara are inlaid with mother of pearl, the work of master craftsmen.

In the temple there are eight stone pillars each surmounted with a covering of the Buddhist Wheel of Law (Dhammachak), one of each of the eight directions, hence the name "Mahasimaram"

(Great Boundary Pillars). On the gate shutters of the temple are carved soldier of the Corps of Royal Pages attired in European - style uniforms instead of traditional dresses. On the entering of temple compound of the front entrance the phra ubosot, phra chedi and phra vihara can be seen raised above ground level on a platform.

The exterior of the phra ubosot is constructed in the Thai style. Inside the design is partly European and partly Thai. It was decorated by M.C. Prawit Chumsai. On the gable there is carving of a seven - headed elephant holding up a tray containing a royal seal. The doors are inlaid with mother of pearl design depicting the various royal decorations, the craftsmenship of Prince Thiwakornwongprawat.With in temple ground on the Usdang Road side there is a royal cemetery which was ordered constructed by King Rama V to make merit for his mother, wives, sons and daughters. It consists of several repositories for royal remains in the form of chedi, prang, and European - style building. These are set in a small garden, which is open to the public.

Detail Wat :

Wat Rajabopit Sathitmahasimaram RajaworaviharaFoeng Nakhon Road, Rajabopit, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok

Web Site :

http://www.watrajabopit.com/

Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Wat Mahathat )

2007-12-05T14:58:00.015+07:00

This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. It is located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University. The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.

Originally called Wat Salak, is situated between Sanam Luang and Tha Phra Chan Pier, near Thammasat University. The Supreme Patriarchs resided there during the early Rattanakosin Period. Maha Chulalongkrorn Rajavitthayalai, a Buddhist university, is also situated within the temple ground. The temple was built in the Ayutthaya Period and was renovated in 1783 by Prince Surasinghanart, younger brother of King Rama I, and renamed Wat Nipphanaram.

Before the first Grand Council to revise the Buddhist tripitaka was convoked in 1788 , King Rama I renamed the temple Wat Phra Sri Sanphechayadaram and later rename it "Wat Mahathat" following the tradition from the Ayutthaya Period to give this name to the temples that housed relics of the Buddha. King Rama IV added the name "Yuwarajarangsarit" in honor of Prince Vachirunnahis.

Important structures include the phra mondop in front of the phra ubosot and the phra vihara in which the sacred relics of Buddha are installed. There is also the Supreme Patriarsh's residence, the Vihara Pho Lanka, or Vihara Noi, where King Rama IV resided when he was a monk, and Akarn Watthu, or Red Building , where once was housed Bangkok's first library.The statue of Prince Surasinghanart at the front of the temple was erected long after his death and is a product of the imagination rather than a portrait.

Detail Wat :

Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Wat Mahathat )Phra Nakhon, Bangkok

Tel: 222-6011, 222-8004

The temple complex is open daily from 9.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.