Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat is a major Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It is located beside Sanam Luang and next to Thammasat University. The name Wat Mahathat means "Temple of the Great Relic", and is a short form of the full name Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara. Indeed the name Wat Mahathat is quite commonly used whenever the temple holds a relic of specifically sacred value.
Wat Mahathat is older than Bangkok itself. It has existed during the Ayutthaya period, when it was known as Wat Salak. Prince Surasinghanart, the younger brother of King Rama I, renovated it in 1783, and renamed it Wat Nipphanaram. In 1788, it was renamed again, to Wat Phra Sri Sanphechayadaram. Following the fall of Ayutthaya and the transfer of the relics of the Buddha here, it was renamed Wat Mahathat. King Rama IV added the suffix "Yuwarajarangsarit" to the name.
King Rama IV resided in Wat Mahathat when he became a monk. His residence at the temple was the Vihara Noi.
The most important building in Wat Mahathat is the Mondop (scripture hall). Inside it is the chedi that contains the relics. This chedi is an example of early Rattanakosin style. It is covered in lacquered gold leaf.
Wihan Photilangka is the main chapel of Wat Mahathat. It was built during the reign of King Rama IV. The main Buddha statue inside the viharn is Phra Nak. It is made of bronze as is in the Sukhothai style.
In front of Wihan Photilangka is the statue of Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Surasinghanat, the younger brother of King Rama I who renoved the temple. However, as no photographs exist from that time, the artist created the statue out of his own impression.
Within the grounds of Wat Mahathat is the Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of two Buddhist universities in Bangkok.It is also the national center for the Mahnikai monastic sect, and the residence of the Buddhist Supreme Pattriach (something like the Buddhist version of the archbishop) of Thailand.
Wat Mahathat Tourist Information
Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara
Location: Na Phra That Road
Tel: 0-2221-5999
Opening hours: 9:00am-5:00pm, daily
Entrance fees: By donation, suggested amount 10-20 baht
Getting there
Wat Mahathat is located along Sanam Luang. The easiest way to reach this part of Bangkok is by taxi. Otherwise, you can also take the BTS Skytrain to the Saphan Taksin Station (S6)) and then catch a ferryboat to Chang Pier (N9).
Nearby Sights
Sanam Luang
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Lat Muang (City Pillar)
National Museum
Mae Toranee
Suan Saranrom
Wat Ratchapradit
Wat Ratchabophit
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
The Bangkok Budget Accommodation Guide provides a wide selection of budget accommodation for you to choose. Personally, although Khao San Road is most famous among backpackers, I prefer to stay in one of the budget hostels along Soi Kasemsan, off Thanon Rama I, near the National Stadium Skytrain station. The proximity to the Skytrain station helps me move about in Bangkok easily. So that's my preference. If you are looking for a place to stay, go through the full list of Bangkok budget accommodation, and check out their prices and location before you book. Find places that are near the Skytrain or MRT. You don't want to take taxis all the time, and often, the roads are so jammed, you'd rather take the mass transit trains.
The following are some places costing less than US$15.00 per night. At such prices, you can really stretch your dollar.
Silver Gold Garden Hotel, from US$12.62
Bangkok Centre Sukhumvit 25, from US$12.27
Asha Guesthouse, from US$4.52
Amarin Inn Guesthouse, from US$11.22
Miami Hotel, from US$10.52
Thaicozy House, from US$11.57
Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse, from US$7.92
The Urban Age, from US$11.22
YHA Bangkok Downtown, from US$7.01
New Empire Hotel, from US$11.22
New Empire Hotel, from US$5.61
13 Coins Airport Grand Resort, from US$12.62
Urban House, from US$14.73
Woodland Inn Hotel, from US$8.13
New World City Hotel, from US$14.02
HI Sukhumvit, from US$8.41
Thong Ta Resort & Spa, from US$8.41
Soi 1 Guesthouse - Backpackers Hostel, from US$9.82
Roof View Place, from US$8.89
Although I do my best do provide you as accurate an information as I have, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
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Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Location Map of Wat Mahathat in Bangkok
Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Food stalls within Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Cloister of Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Image of venerated monk in Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Buddha statue in Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Another Buddha statue in Wat Mahathat (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Chedi of the sacred relic (29 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
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