Wat Ratchabophit

Wat Ratchabophit

View of Wat Ratchabophit Complex
Wat Ratchabophit
Location within Bangkok
13°45′5″N 100°29′34″E / 13.75139°N 100.49278°E / 13.75139; 100.49278
Information
Denomination Theravada Buddhism
Founded 1869 A.D.
People
Founder(s) King Chulalongkorn
Location
Country Thailand

Wat Ratchabophit or formally Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratcha Wara Maha Wihan is a Buddhist temple located in on Atsadang Road, Bangkok, along Khlong Lot, not far from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. The temple was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

Architecture

Inside the temple

The temple features a unique layout, with its wiharn and ubosot joined by a circular courtyard, at the center of which stands a gilded chedi. The golden chedi (43m high) is covered with orange-coloured tiles and on top of the chedi, there is a golden ball. There is a relic of Buddha inside and the chedi was built in Sri Lankan style.[1] The ordinal hall has 10 door panels and 28 window panels each decorated with gilded black lacquer on the inside.[2]

The interior of the temple, bod, is gilded Italian architecture obtained from the idea of king's visit to Europe. The entrance doors are 3m high and are decorated with inlaid mother-of-pearl, which represents various medals and decorations.[2] The drum tower is a two-storeyed one with hectogonal spires decorated with Bencharong ceramic nagas and Erwan heads.[1]

Royal Cemetery

On the west end of the temple grounds is the Royal Cemetery, with numerous monuments to major and minor members of the Royal Family, most notably those in the immediate family of King Chulalongkorn. One of the memorials, the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, contains the ashes of Mahidol Adulyadej, Srinagarindra and Galyani Vadhana.[1] A Christian church is on the grounds, as are many chedis and Khamer-face towers.[1]

Gallery

Inside the shrine
Mausoleum of Savang Vadhana
View from outside
The front entrance with an image of watchman
A Chinese image
Outside view

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Liedtke 2011, p. 57
  2. 1 2 Spooner 2011, p. 96

References

Coordinates: 13°44′57″N 100°29′50″E / 13.74917°N 100.49722°E / 13.74917; 100.49722

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