Paying Homage to Buddha at 9 Royal Temples (TAT)

Paying Homage to Buddha at 9 Royal Temples (TAT)

"A good beginning is half the battle won." Based on this saying, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized the "Paying Homage to Buddha at 9 Royal Temples" event for locals and tourists interested in visiting sacred sites for a peaceful and happy start according to Thai beliefs. Moreover, it is also an opportunity to learn about the value of important ancient sites on Rattanakosin Island and its surrounding areas.

The 9 Royal Temples are as follows:

1. Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara

Motto: Safe travels and good friendships

Offerings: 3 incense sticks, 1 pair of red candles, flower garlands

History/Background:

Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara is a second-class royal temple founded by Chao Phraya Nikornbodin (Toh Kalayanamitr) who dedicated the land, formerly known as "Chinese Kudi Village." The temple was built in 1825 during the reign of King Rama III and was later designated as a royal temple, receiving the royal name "Wat Kalayanamitr." The main shrine was built to house the "Phra Phuttha Trairatnayok" (Luang Phor Toh) statue, which received a royal name from King Rama IV, or known in Chinese as "Cham Po Hud Kong" or "Cham Po Kong."

Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara is the only temple in Thailand with the principal Buddha statue in the "Pang Parilyayika" posture, located in the main chapel. Inside, there are mural paintings depicting the Buddha's life. Additionally, the temple houses the Dhamma Mandapa Theleng Phra Kiao Building, where Tripitaka and other religious texts are stored, constructed in 1845 by the royal command of King Rama IV.

How to get there:

Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara is located in Wat Kalayanamitr subdistrict, Thonburi district. You can take bus routes 40, 57, 149 or air-conditioned bus route 177. Alternatively, you can cross the Chao Phraya River by boat from Pak Khlong Talat pier to Wat Kalayanamitr pier.

2. Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawihan

Motto: Victory over all obstacles

Offerings for the main Buddha statue in the chapel: 3 incense sticks, 1 candle, 1 lotus flower

Offerings for the statue of Somdej Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowonmahasurasihan: 5 incense sticks, 1 candle, 1 lotus flower

History/Background:

Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawihan is a second-class royal temple built before the establishment of Rattanakosin era. Somdej Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowonmahasurasihan renovated the temple, and King Rama I later designated it as a royal commoner monks' temple to honor the common soldiers in the army of Somdej Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowonmahasurasihan. After achieving victory over the enemy army three times, the temple was granted the new royal name "Wat Chanasongkhram."

Directions:

Wat Chana Songkhram Ratchaworamahawihan is located on Jakraphong Road, Bang Lamphu Sub-district, Phra Nakhon District. Bus lines 33, 64, 65 or air-conditioned buses, lines 3, 32, 33, 64, 65.

3. Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklaram Ratchaworamahawihan

Motto: Cool shade brings happiness

Offerings: 9 incense sticks, a pair of candles, 11 gold leaf sheets

History/Background:

Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklaram Ratchaworamahawihan, also known as "Wat Pho," is a first-class royal temple. It was originally named "Wat Photharam." King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke renovated the temple and commissioned the construction of a pagoda to enshrine the Buddha image, Phra Sri Sanphet, which was brought from Ayutthaya. Later, in 1834, King Rama III ordered the renovation of the pagoda and named it "Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sanphetdayarn" and built the "Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhammakhanit" to dedicate to King Rama II. King Rama III also wished for Wat Pho to serve as a "university for the public" and ordered the collection of knowledge inscribed on slate plates placed around the ordination hall for the public to study and gain knowledge.

Wat Pho houses the "Phra Buddha Theva Patimakorn" enshrined within the ordination hall, under the Chukchi pedestal, containing the royal relics of King Rama I. The temple's vihara enshrines the most beautiful and fourth-largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand, made of bricks and plaster, decorated with mother-of-pearl, featuring 108 auspicious images. Additionally, Wat Pho has a total of 99 pagodas, making it the temple with the most pagodas in Thailand, and four large pagodas from the reigns of Kings Rama I to IV of Rattanakosin.

Currently, Wat Pho offers traditional Thai medicine courses, and those who complete the training will receive a traditional medicine practitioner certificate from the Ministry of Public Health.

How to get there:

Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklaram Ratchaworamahawihan is located behind the Grand Palace on Sanam Chai Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Sub-district, Phra Nakhon District. You can get there by taking bus lines 12, 44, 82, 91, or air-conditioned buses, lines 12, 32, 44, 91, 51.

4. Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram

Motto: A pure mind like a gemstone

Offerings: 3 incense sticks, 1 candle, and flowers

History/Background:

Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, also known as Wat Phra Kaew, is a temple located within the grounds of the Grand Palace. King Rama I ordered its construction in 1783 to facilitate royal ceremonies and to enshrine the ashes of monarchs. The temple houses numerous attractions, including the Ubosot that enshrines the "Emerald Buddha" (Phra Kaew Morakot). The temple's gallery showcases the world's longest and most beautiful Ramayana mural. It also features the Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, the pagoda that enshrines the statues of Kings Rama I-VIII, the golden-tiled Phra Si Rattana Chedi, and the Royal Pantheon. The temple also has a bell tower, a monument to each king of the Rattanakosin era, and six pairs of giant statues from the Ramayana epic.

Getting There:

Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram is located near Sanam Luang, Na Phra Lan Road, in the Phra Nakhon District. You can take bus lines 1, 3, 25, 32, 33, 59, 60, 70, 82, 91, 201, 203 or air-conditioned buses Po. 2, 3, 6, 25, 32, 59, 60, 70, 82, 91, 201, 203, 512.

5. Wat Rakang Kositaram Woramahaviharn

Motto: Famous and admired by people

Offerings: 3 incense sticks, a pair of candles, and gold leaf

History/Background:

Wat Rakang Kositaram Woramahaviharn, commonly known as Wat Rakang, is a second-class royal temple. Originally named "Wat Bang Wa Yai," it is an ancient temple dating back to the Ayutthaya period. The Ubosot exhibits architecture from the reign of King Rama I and features intricate Narayana reliefs. The temple houses a principal Buddha statue called "Phra Phuttha Yan Fa Lai" by King Rama V. Additionally, there are important murals on the doors and walls of the temple's tripartite scripture hall, as well as Ayutthaya-era Buddhist scripture cabinets.

Somdej Phra Putthachan (To Promrangsi), a highly revered monk and scholar from the reign of King Rama IV, once resided at Wat Rakang. Visitors can pay respects and ask for blessings by reciting the Chinnabanchorn incantation, offering incense sticks, applying gold leaf to the statue, and sprinkling holy water for good fortune.

Getting There:

Wat Rakang Kositaram Woramahaviharn is located on Arun Amarin Road, in the Siriraj Subdistrict, Bangkok Noi District. You can take bus lines 19 or 57. Alternatively, you can take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to either the Tha Rot Fai or Tha Wang Lang piers or take a cross-river ferry at Tha Chang Pier and disembark at Wat Rakang Pier.

6. Wat Suthat Thepwararam

Motto: Broad vision, charming to the general public

Offerings: 3 incense sticks, 1 candle

History/Background:

Wat Suthat Thepwararam is a royal temple of the first class and is the designated temple for the 8th reign of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Originally named "Wat Mahasuthawas," it was established in 1807 and completed in 1827 during the reign of King Rama III, who renamed it "Wat Suthat Thepwararam." The main hall houses the "Phra Sri Sakyamuni" Buddha image, which was brought from Sukhothai and is cast in the Mara Vichai posture. This image is based on the design of the Phra Mongkol Bophit temple in Ayutthaya. The main hall features beautiful wood carvings and a surrounding Chinese-style pagoda on a six-tiered base, consisting of 28 structures. The temple also houses the largest Mara Vichai Buddha image in Thailand, which is larger than any other cast during the Rattanakosin period. In addition, there is a scripture hall with a Phra Phutthasetthamuni Buddha image, cast in 1839 during the reign of King Rama III.

Getting there:

Wat Suthat Thepwararam is located near Sao Chingcha, opposite Bangkok City Hall, in Phra Nakhon district. You can take bus lines 10, 12, or 42, or air-conditioned buses on lines 10, 12, or 42.

7. Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan

Motto: Prosperity day and night

Offerings: 3 incense sticks, 1 pair of candles

History/Background:

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan is a royal temple of the first class, established during the Ayutthaya period. Originally named Wat Makok, it was founded in 1767. When King Taksin the Great (the founder of Thonburi) arrived at Wat Makok early in the morning from Ayutthaya, he ordered the temple to be renovated and renamed "Wat Chaeng." Later, during the reign of King Rama II, the temple was renovated again and renamed "Wat Arun Ratchawararam." In the Thonburi era, Wat Arun housed the Emerald Buddha before it was moved to Wat Phra Kaew. The temple is also known for its two large plaster statues of giants, known as "Yak Wat Chaeng," guarding the entrance to the temple's ordination hall.

Wat Arun has many interesting features, including the world's largest prang (a Khmer-style tower), standing 33 meters tall and adorned with colorful glazed tiles. The prang is topped with a Nopburi-style pinnacle. The temple also has four smaller prangs, each housing a Buddha image in the birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and Nirvana postures. Circling the main prang three times clockwise is believed to bring blessings. The temple's main hall enshrines the "Phra Phuttha Dhammamisaririkathat Dilok" Buddha image, created by King Rama II himself, and houses the relics of the Buddha. The temple also has a vihara (hall) containing a Phra Arun or Phra Chaeng Buddha image, which was brought from Vientiane during the reign of King Rama IV.

Getting there:

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan is located next to the Royal Thai Navy, Arun Amarin Road, Bang Kho Laem District. You can get there by bus lines 19, 57 or take a ferry across the river from Tha Tien pier and disembark at Wat Arun.

8. Wat Bowonniwet Vihara

Motto: Encounter only the good things in life

Sacred objects: 9 incense sticks, 1 candle, 3 lotus flowers

History/Background:

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is a first-class royal temple, also known as a Rajavaravihara temple. It was established by His Majesty King Rama III during the reign of King Rama III as the royal residence of the Bowonmahasakdiphonlasepgrom Royal Palace and the sacred site of the Bowonsathanmongkol Royal Palace between 2367 - 2375 B.E. Formerly known as Wat Mai, the temple was granted a new royal name during the reign of King Rama III, when he sponsored the ordination of His Royal Highness Prince Anuchathiraj. The temple gained prominence when the prince stayed there in 2375 B.E. Additionally, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara has been the place where King Rama VI, King Rama VII, and the current King have ordained as monks. The temple belongs to the faction of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya order's Kamavasi monks.

Significant structures within Wat Bowonniwet Vihara include the main chapel (Ubosot), which is a three-tiered building adorned with glazed tiles. In the center, there is the emblem of the Great Crown. The presiding Buddha image in the main chapel and the Reclining Buddha are also noteworthy. The temple also houses the Vihara of the Holy Relics, the Great Pagoda, and the molded Buddha image hall.