Wat Ratchanatdaram : Bangkok

Located on Mahachai Road. This royal temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat (Metal Palace), one of its tourist attractions, standing on its 36 meters high with 37 surrounding spires is the only one of its kind left in the world. Situated in the nearby area are a royal pavilion for a guest welcome and the memorial statue of King Rama III.

Important Buildings in the Temple

The Ordination Hall

Parallel to the canal, this edifice built in the style of King Rama III's period. There are square pillars all around it. The gable is decorated with stucco.
The main Buddha image inside is cast of copper, mined at Chanteuk in Nakhon Ratchasima province. It was placed there in A.D. 1864 by order of King Rama III. King Rama IV gave the name "Phra Setthamuni" to the image.

source:http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/7153/watratda.htm

Related tags : Wat Ratchanatdaram/royal temple/Bangkok/Thailand Temple/Wat Thai

Wat Ratchabophit : bangkok

[ photo credit to dhammathai.org ]

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.

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.

source:www.geocities.com/RainForest

Open : Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Related tags : Wat Ratchabophit/royal temple/Bangkok/Thailand Temple/Wat Thai

Wat Benjamabophit ( Marble Temple ) : Bangkok

WAt Benjamabopit Dusitwanaram (Wat Ben) , the Marble Temples, in located near Government House and the Equestrian Statue of King Rama IV. It is an old temple during from the Ayutthaya Period and was originally names Wat Laem or Wat Saithong. During the reign of King Rama IV, the temple was restored by five princes and renamed Wat Bejamabopit (five princes). In 1899 , King Rama V had the temple completely rebuilt and bestowed upon it the name Wat Benjamabopit Dusitwanaram , meaning the Temple of the Fifth King. He placed Prince Narissaranuwattiwong, the nation's chief architect, in change of the design and construction.

The name Marble Temple derives from the phra ubosot , which is square and completely covered with white marble . In it is enshrined a reproduction of the Phra Buddhachinarat image, which King Rama V had copied from the original in Phitsanulok Province.

[ Phra Buddhachinarat image ]

In the cloister extending from the north, around the west, to the south of the phra ubosot , there are 52 Buddha images of various styles and periods.

In the monastic residence area is a royal ordination hall, which was reconstructed there after having been moved from the Grand Palace. It was in this King Rama V lived when he entered the monkhood. The murals in this building are of historical interest, showing courtly customs and traditions during the reigns of King Rama IV and Rama V.

source: dhammathai

Related tags : Wat Benjamabophit/marble temple/Bangkok/Thailand Temple/Wat Thai