Wat Rakhang

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Wat Rakhang
The bell tower of Wat Rakhang
The prang from the early Rattanakosin period

Wat Rakhang (full name: Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramahaviharn , Thai วัด ระฆัง โฆ สิ ตา ราม วรมหาวิหาร ) is a Buddhist temple ( wat ) in the Bangkok Noi district in Bangkok , Thailand .

location

Wat Rakhang is located on the western bank of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya ( Chao Phraya River ) in the heart of the old town of Bangkok. Directly opposite on the other bank is the Grand Palace with Wat Phra Kaeo .

history

Wat Rakhang was founded in the Ayutthaya period . At that time it was called Wat Bangwa Yai ( Thai วัด บาง ว้า ใหญ่ ). When King Taksin built his new residence in Thonburi after the fall of Ayutthaya , he restored the temple and elevated it to the rank of Royal Temple .

At the beginning of the Rattanakosin period it was repaired again by the eldest sister of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok ( Rama I ) . During the work, a temple bell (Thai: "Rakhang") was found, which King Phra Phutthayotfa had brought to the newly built Wat Phra Kaeo, where it can still be seen today in the bell tower ( Hor Rakhang ) . Instead of this bell, the king donated five smaller bells which were installed in a cross-shaped pavilion. This pavilion is the landmark of the temple today. At the same time he had the name changed from "Wat Bangwa Yai" to "Wat Rakhang Kositaram".

Attractions

  • The ubosot is built in the early rattanakosin style. Its three-tiered staggered roof is traditionally decorated with Chofah , Bai Raka ( ใบระกา - dorsal fin of the Naga ) and Hang Hong ( หางหงส์ - Naga heads , literally swan's tail ). The wings of its entrance portals are decorated with bells in black gold lacquer technique . There are murals on the inner walls that were created by the king's court painters.
  • The prang was built in the late Ayutthaya style at the time of King Phra Phutthayotfa.
  • The Hor Trai (library - Thai: หอ พระ ไตรปิฎก ) is the real attraction of the temple. The wooden ensemble consists of three buildings covered with roofs in the classic style. It served as a residence ( Phra Tamnak Chan - พระ ตำหนัก จันทน์ ) during the reign of King Taksin, the later first king of the Chakri dynasty , Phra Phutthayotfa . Only later, after restoration, was it used to store the Holy Scriptures (Thai: พระ ไตรปิฎก ). On the inner walls there are recently unfavorably restored wall paintings, which were originally of high artistic value.

  • Inside the Ubosot

  • Entrance doors of the Ubosot

  • Hor Trai (library)

  • Library bookcase

Web links

Commons : Wat Rakhang  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 13 ° 45 ′ 9.7 ″  N , 100 ° 29 ′ 7.6 ″  E