Wat Bowonniwet Vihara
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara or Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Ratchawihan is a first-class royal temple of the Ratchaworawihan type and is the temple of two reigns of the Rattanakosin period: King Rama VI and King Rama IX. It was originally called Wat Mai and is located near Wat Rangsi Sutthawat. However, it was merged into one temple by Prince Maha Sakdi Phonsep in the reign of King Rama III. The temple was continuously maintained and restored until the reign of King Rama IV, who came to reside and founded the Thammayut Nikaya sect, as well as restored and built many permanent structures.
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is a temple of the Chakri dynasty kings. Including many members of the royal family who were ordained here, such as King Mongkut (Rama IV), King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), King Mongkut (Rama VI), King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).
In addition, this place is also the residence of 4 Supreme Patriarchs: Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Pavaresvariyalongkorn, Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Vajirananavarorasa, Somdet Phra Sangkharat Chao Krom Luang Vajirananawong, and Somdet Phra Sangkharat Chao Krom Luang Vajirananasamvara. It can be said that Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is very important to Buddhism in the Rattanakosin period.
Inside the temple, you will find that the area is divided into 2 parts: Phuttavasa area and Sangkhavasa area, separated by walls and moats. In the Phuttavasa area, there is a Ubosot, which enshrines Two important Buddha images are Phra Phuttha Suwanna Khet (Luang Pho To) which was invited from Wat Sathapan in Phetchaburi Province. It is believed that it was originally Khmer art from the Dvaravati period, but Phraya Chamnihatkan, the craftsman of the Royal Palace, removed it and made a new style of clay to make it smaller, and covered it with gold leaf, giving it a touch of Rattanakosin art. And Phra Phuttha Chinnasi which was invited from Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok Province.
The architecture of the ordination hall is a combination of many cultures, Thai, Chinese, and European, making the ordination hall of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara grand and exquisite at the same time. In addition, there are other interesting points in the temple, such as the ordination hall of Wat Rangsi, the Phra Satsada Wihan, the Wihan Keng, the Phra Maha Chedi, the Bell Tower, and the Ho Trai, etc.
In the Sanghavas area, there are various palaces where the kings who were ordained at this temple resided, such as the Panhya Palace, which is an architectural style of Western houses. Built during the reign of King Rama III, Tamnak Chan, built during the reign of King Rama V, and Tamnak Phet, another palace that combines Thai and Western architecture, was built during the reign of King Rama VI. #BangkokTravel #BeautifulTemplesAroundThailand #ThaiTemples #BeautifulTemplesInBangkok #OldTemples #Worship9Temples