WAT RATCHANATDARAM

Description

Essentials about Wat Ratchanatdaram

Wat Ratchanatdaram is one of the less known among the more than 400 temples in Bangkok. If you have a little time, you should visit it anyway, because the temple is certainly one of the most beautiful facilities in the Thai capital. It is located in the Phra Nakhon district, just a few steps away from the Democracy Monument.

The history of Wat Ratchanatdaram

In 1846, King Nangklao (Rama III) had Wat Ratchanatda built for his niece to provide her with an undisturbed meditation environment. Therefore, the king chose for the temple the name “Wat Ratchanatda”, which can be roughly translated as “Monastery of the Royal Niece”.

Until 1989, the temple was hidden behind a large cinema building, which was demolished in the course of the beautification of Ratchadamnoen Boulevard and replaced by a park-like square. The square is now home to a pavilion built in traditional Thai style and a statue of King Nangklao.

The complex of Wat Ratchanatdaram

The central sanctuary, the ordination hall (ubosot), is flanked on the right and left by a wihan each, whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of the ubosot. Rectangular columns support the triple-tiered roof. The pediment decorated with gilded stucco is remarkable. The main Buddha statue was cast in 1864 from a copper alloy. Also worth seeing are the interior walls of the ubosot with their ancient murals.

The temple is best known for the Loha Prasat (Iron Palace). Built in an unusual style for Thailand, this chedi is a replica of an ancient temple in Sri Lanka, built around 150 BC. This building was unique in its time: it was a nine-story building with a side length of 120 meters, a total of 1,600 stone columns formed the foundation, which is still preserved today. The idea for a replica of this structure came to King Nangklao while studying Sri Lanka Buddhism. Construction of the Loha Prasat in Bangkok was begun during his reign, but was not finally completed until the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).

The Loha Prasat resembles a three-tiered pyramid from the outside. It is 36 meters high and has 37 metal chedis bearing a Burmese umbrella on their top. The top floor is formed as a mondop. Inside the mondop is a shrine with a dark vessel that is said to contain a relic of the Buddha. In the center of the building is a staircase with a spiral staircase that can be used to reach the top floor. On the lower floors there are numerous meditation cells.