Temples In Bangkok

Temples In Bangkok

WAT PHRA KAEW The temple is in the outer section of the Royal Enclosure west of the Grand Palace . It was built on the orders of King Rama I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island , and is built as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya . It has no resident monks.

WAT ARUNRATCHAWARARAM RATCHAWORAMAHAWIHAN The prang of Wat Arun on the bank of Ch Phraya River is one of Bangkok 's world-famous landmarks. From a French map of Thonburi made in the reign of King Narai it can be seen that the temple existed when Ayutthaya was Siam 's capital. The temple was formerly known as Wat Makok, and when King Taksin built his palace, he ordered the temple to be annexed to it. The king restored it and renamed it "Wat Jaeng". It was restored again by King Rama II, and renamed "Wat Arunratchatharam". King Rama IV later changed the name to "Wat Arunratchawararam"

WAT PHO (WAT CHUTUPON WIMOLMANGKARARAM) Wat Pho This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace on Thai Wang Road and houses the very impressive gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha which is some 46 metres long and 15 metres high. Its soles are inlaid with mother of pearl. The temple is regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes call Thailand's first university.

WAT BENCHAMABOPHIT DUSITWANARAM RATCHAWORAWIHAN When King Rama V commanded the building of the Dusit Palace, the area belonging to Dusit Temple and another deserted temple were used to construct the hall and for road. The tradition states that a new temple must be built instead; however, the king considered that building several temples would be a big burden for maintenance, but a bigger and more elaborate design would be a better choice. By royal command, HRH Prince Naris Nuvattiwongs designed the temple that was renamed to Wat Benchamabophit, meaning "Wat of King Rama V.

WAT RATCHABOPHIT SATHITMAHASIMARAM RATCHAWORAWIHAN King Rama V ordered this to be the first temple built after he came to the throne. It was to commemorate the Queen and his concubines. It later became the temple of King Rama VII.

WAT RATCHANATDARAM WORAWIHAN King Rama III ordered the construction of this temple as a gift to MC Somanas, who was later elevated by King Rama IV to the rank of HRH Princess Somanas Vadhanawadi. Loha Prasat This is the only sanctuary made in Thai style. Building began in the reign of King Rama III, and it was extensively decorated in the reigns of King Rama V and King Rama VI. The 37 spires of the sanctuary represent the 37 Bodhipak Khiyadhamma - the virtues leading to enlightenment. The wooden staircases in the middle room are built around large wooden posts leading upwards. In the centre is an alcove containing relics of the Buddha.

WAT UPSORNSAWAN WORAWIHAN The ancient temple was formerly caller Wat Moo, moo meaning pig, as it was built on Iand used for a pig farm and pigs were allowed, to remain in the area. It was restored by King Rama III from his private funds and renamed Wat Upsornsawan in honour of the celebrated actress Jaojomnoi. Her portrayal of Suranakong in "Eanao" the royal play from Indonesia, was so impressive that she became known as "Chaochom Noi Suranakong.

WAT SUWANNARAM RATCHAWORAWIHAN During the reign of King Taksin, this temple waswhere Burmese prisoners of war from Bang Kaew Camp were executed. It was founded in the Ayur ,aya period and was initially called Wat Thong.It was dismantled and rebuilt during the resto ations made in the reign of King Rama I, and the king renamed it Wat Suwannaram. It was restored again during the reign of King Rama III. It was formerly the site of Royal Cremation Ground for members of the Royal family and high-ranking officers, and was used for this purpose until the reign of King Rama V

WAT BOWONNIWETWIHAN RATCHAWORAWIHAN Usually known as Wat Boworn, this temple was built by HRH Prince Maha Sakdipolsep, a son of King Rama III, and originally called Wat Mai.King Rama IV stayed here after he was ordained, and founded the Thammayut Nikai, a more ascetic monastic order. The temple is of special importance because King Rama VI, King Rama VII, and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej were all ordained here.