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Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram
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View Wat Ratchabophit of the bridge crossng Khlong Lot
This royal temple of the first grade stands is located near the Ministry of Interior. Its east side faces
Fuangnakhon Road, the west side on Asadang Road near Khlong Lot, the north on Ratchabophit Road and the south of Wat Ratchabophit canel.
This temple was the last to be erected by King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) . Later
King Pokklao (King Rama VII) made it his task to restore this temple as if it was a temple of his reign.
Outer side of door at the west of Wat Ratchabophit
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Important Objects in the Temple
In this temple compound, all the buildings were erected on highly raised bases which are totally covered with marble; The Ordination
Hall, Phra Chedi, the Wihan in front, the Circumambultory Gallery and small open
pavilions which stand in row or on sides. All of these are within the surrounding wall one metre high decorated with glass tiles of five
colours. His Royal Highness Prince Naris said that Phra Achan Daeng, a well known artist of King Rama's period, was the designer of
these tiles which were made in China.
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The Ordination Hall
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Phra Nirantarai
It is a golden Buddha image placed on the lower base in front of the main image. Both legs are locked together in yogic position.
Cast in bronze and covered with gold it sits in niche in the shape of the sacred Bodhi tree. King Rama VI ordered the casting of duplicates
to be distributed to many temples. The one at Wat Ratchabophit is a new one cast to replace the original which was stolen.
The Belfery at the wall of monk cells
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Phra Chedi
Behind the Ordination Hall the chedi is in Thai style with double moulded redented corners, decorated with five coloured glazed
tiles. It is 43-metres high and the basemeasures 56.20 metres in circumference. Above the base there are 14 porticoes around it. In the
upper part of it the Buddha's relic was installed in A.D. 1949.
The Phra Chedi at Wat Ratchabophit is much worshipped as it is located in the middle of the temple surrounded by the Ordination
Hall, Wihan and Circumambulatory Gallery. This type of architectural plan has been in existance since ancient times. It is different
from the construction of the present day which places the Ordination Hall in the middle. Thus Wat Ratchabophit is an example of a monument
constructed according to an ancient plan.
Attached to the gallery is the rear part of the Ordination Hall. In the foreground at right is the base of Phra Chedi.
Both Phra Chedi and outer walls of the Ordination Hall decorated with glazed tiles in five colours
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Phra Wihan
To the south of Chedi, the Wihan is in the same architectural style as the Ordination Hall, both inside and out. The differ only in
door and window panels. They are in wood and carved designs of the royal insignia on this building. It is said that they were originally in
the Ordination Hall, and they were removed to give way to panels of in-laid mother of pearl.
Inside, the main Buddha image named "Phra Prathip Warothai" is an old Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara placed
there after having been repaired. Behind the image there are three large cabinets containing the Tripitaka engraved on palm leaves. This
Wihan also serves as the library of the temple.
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The Royal Graveyard
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