TopWat Benjamabophit ![]() popular travel spot in the tour zone of Dusit (old royal area) of Bangkok. also spelt as Wat Benchamabophit features
The visitor on entering the main gate is struck by the dazzling sight of the ubosot or ordination hall made from white Italian polished marble slabs, the famous Carrara marble, which gave the temple the name, the Marble Temple.
Located opposite one corner of Chitlada Palace in the Dusit district is one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, Wat Benjamabopit. Often referred to as "the marble temple" in guidebooks, the temple is unusual in many ways.
Check in S.M. show some Social Media love ...... just do it ! LocationLongdo map is in Thai & English for taxi, Google map link in SM menu for GPS navigation Getting there: ![]() AboutThere has been a temple on this spot since Ayutthaya times, before the founding of Bangkok, but little is known about exactly when it was consecrated. Its modern history begins in 1826, during the time of Rama III, when a prince set up defenses around the old temple to fend off an invading Lao army. The army never actually reached Bangkok. They were defeated in Nakorn Ratchisima (Korat), by the wife of the provincial governor. In gratitude (whether it was for victory or for not having to fight, we're not sure) the prince and his four siblings had the temple restored and erected five pagodas in front of it. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) began construction of the new royal place in the nearby Dusit Gardens. Within the large area Chulalongkorn purchased for the Dusit Gardens were two derelict temples, one completely deserted and the other housing just one monk. The king decided to tear these temples down and have Wat Benjabophit (as it was known then) restored to compensate. The King's compensation was lavish, resulting in the temple as its seen today, and he also bestowed the current name of 'Wat Benjamabophit' on the temple, which means 'temple of the fifth king.' The beautiful altar within the ordination hall The ubosot is covered on the outside by marble imported from Italy. In plan, the ordination hall is 'T' shaped, with a long aisle extending from the main entrance to the altar. Small side-aisles on either side of the altar lead to exits into the cloister. ![]() The windows of the ubosot are a type of stained glass in yellows and white. The ceiling is a beautiful beamed affair in dark red and gold. The cloister behind the ordination hall (which is on the right in the photo) The ubosot sits in one wall of a cloister. Although cloisters are quite common in Thai temples, usually the ordination hall stands wholly within the cloister. The cloister is lined with many Buddha images. These too are unusual. In most temples, all the Buddha images lining a cloister would be more or less the same, but in Wat Benjamabophit, every image is different. Some are seated while some are standing, all with different poses. There's even an example of the emaciated seated Buddha image that is now very rare. Behind the cloister is a large Bodhi tree. This tree was bought from Bod Gaya, the place in India of Buddha's enlightenment, as a gift for King Chulalongkorn. ![]() Closest to the eastern wall is the Song Dharm hall. Its a two-storey brick building with elaborately carved gable ends. The hall was built in 1902 by Queen Sawang Vaddana in memory of the Crown Prince, who met an untimely death. Its purpose was to provide a place for King Chulalongkorn to come on holy days to listen to Buddhist recitations. It is now sometimes used for the lying-in-state of some members of the royal family. Next to the Song Dharm hall are two buildings. The open sided Sri Somdej Pavilion now houses several drums. Among them is a 16-foot long Shan drum captured in 1903 during a Shan uprising. The drum is carved from a single block of rosewood. Behind the Sri Somdej Pavilion is the Song Phanuat hall. This was originally built in the Grand Palace for King Chulalongkorn when he entered the monkhood. During the restoration of Wat Benjamabopit, the King had the building moved there to serve as the abbot's residence. The building is actually four small buildings linked together around a central courtyard. Next to the Sri Somdej Pavilion and Song Phanuat hall is a large lawn with an ornate bell tower in the middle. On the other side of this lawn is the Somdej wiharn. This building houses several important Buddha images, but is undergoing restoration in 2003 and may not be open until later in the year. ![]() Bookingsno booking service - all welcome to temple - be aware of open and close times check the prices from the various online booking services Accredited Viator (TripAdvisor) topic: ?????? I Viator: Pre search Bangkok topics Try one of the new age "Local host" services ![]() Google+ below: open album I by location I slideshow Facebook album at B.Pac: open album Google street viewStarting point: Entrance Move in any direction, https://goo.gl/maps/2T7oJ45vZTK2 note: if not accurate use Wat Benjamabophit: Google Map - Pics - Reviews Street view map tips summary
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