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Wat Kanlayanamit
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This royal temple stands at the mouth of Bangkok Yai Canal on the southern bank. Chao Phraya Nikornbodin (To) donated land
to erect this temple in A.D. 1765. Later he presented it to the King. King Rama III named
it "Wat Kanlayanamit" and built Wihan which houses a large seated Buddha image named "Phra Trairattananayok" similar to the large
Buddha image outside the walls of Ayutthya at Wat Phananchoeng.
King Rama IV built the library near the landing of Krom Somdej Phra Sri Sudarakse in A.D. 1865.
During the reign of King Rama V there was a renovation of this temple by Chao
Phraya Rattanabodin (Rod) who was the son of Chao Phraya Nikornbodin.
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Important Buildings in the Temple
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Phra Wihan
This very large building stands between the small Wihan and the Ordination Hall. The gable board is carved in floral design decorated
with glass mosaic in the style of the period of King Rama III. The panels of doors and windows are of wood in one piece carved in
typical floral mofifs, covered with gold leaf and inlaid with glass mosaic. The pillars inside the Wihan are painted with floral motifs.
The presiding Buddha image called Phra Buddha Trairattananayok is in the attitude of Subduring Mara. King Rama III gave a donation
to help Chao Phraya Nikornbodin cast the image on the 18th of May in A.D. 1837. This image is commonly called "Phra To".
In front of the Wihan there are Chinese sculptures which came as balasts in trading junks. The entrance is in the form of large open
pavilion derocated in stucco inside and containing smaller Chinese style pavilions. There is a wide pavement from the pavilions. There is a
wide pavement from the pavilion by the river to the gate. On both sides there are small Chinese houses, pagodas and spirit houses.
"Phra Buddha Trairattananayok" or "Phra To" , the presiding Buddha image
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The Small Wihan
Next to the large one on the left, the Small Wihan contains murals of King Rama III's period which are of historical and arttistic value.
It is considered to be the highlight of the temper. The carvings on the door panels are of door guardians decorated with gilded black lacquer.
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The Library
The Library was built near the landing which was used by Krom Somdej Phra Srisudarak.
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The Preaching Hall (Sala Kanparian)
Standing at the corner towards the east of the temple, this hall was built by King Rama III.
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The Two Chinese Pavilions
They are in brick and motar and stand both sides of the path in front of the large Wihan.
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The Three-Sided Pavilion
They stands in front of the large Wihan and its low wall. The gable is carved with a Deva holding a book and standing in a niche.
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The Belfry
Standing between the large and small Wihans, the belfry was built during the periods of King Rama IV and V. The bell here is the largest in Thailand.
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The Chedi Decorated with Marble
In front of the Preaching Hall, this monument was built by Chao Phraya Rattanabodin (Rod Kanlayanamit) when he was still
Phraya Rajawaranukul in A.D. 1864 to install the cremetorial remains of Chao Phraya Nikornbodin. There is a low wall surrounding it
with stairs on two sides and Chinese pagodas, one at each of the four corners.
A square Chedi with walls built by Chinese craftmen
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The Monks' Quarters
These are of old and modem styles and are the work of various builders from the time of King Rama III to King Rama IV. Those of the
latter period are in European style decorated with wood carvings and are quite interesting to study.
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The Ordination Hall
This is on the right of the Whihan facing to the north. The mural paintings portray the life story of the Buddha and Chinese offering
tables can also be seen. The pillars are painted in lotus-bud pattern.
The main Buddha image is in the attitude of receiving water from an elephant and honeycomb from a monkey. It was erected by King
Rama III. Beside this there is another important Buddha image in meditation cast in bronze, 57 cms. from knee to knee, by Chao Phraya
Rattanabodin (Rod Kanlayanamit).
Next to the Ordination Hall, there is a square Chedi with a base made in China from a design sent to there from the Thai court. It was
made of several pieces of stone whic were put together in Thailand. A low wall surrounds the Ordination Hall.
The Ordination Hall
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The Scripture Hall
At the side of the large Wihan towards the north, the scripture hall is in brick and mortae. The roof is in two tiers with triditional
roof decorations. The decoration on the gable board is a flame-like pattern with the Royal emblem of King Rama IV in the middle. The
panels of doors and windows are carved in floral motifs applied with gold leaf and decorated with glass mosaic. In the Interior on the upper
floor there is a four-sided scripture cabinet gilded with decorative motifs.
This Scripture Hall was erected by King Rama IV in A.D. 1865 and was named "Ho Phra Dhrama Montain Thaloeng Phra Kiat"
to commemorate his Royal Great Aunt. Kroma Phra Srisudarak, who was the elder sister of King Rama I.
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