TEMPLES - CHURCHES AND MOSQUES Wat Ratcha Orasaram
Ratchaworawihan (Chom Thong) |
|
วัดราชโอรสารามราชวรวิหาร (จอมทอง) |
|
Address: |
|
|
|
|
Known as: |
|
|
|
|
Description: |
|
Wat Ratchaorasaram Ratchaworawihan is a first class royal
monastery, or Ratchaworawihan, and a royal temple of Chakri
dynasty's King Rama III. This temple is situated on Ekachai Road
in Bang Kho Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Bangkok. It is
connected to not only the west side (Thonburi side) of Khlong
Sanam Chai, but also Khlong Bang Wa on the north side of the
temple. It is an ancient temple constructed before the
establishment of Rattanakosin Kingdom. It is said that this
temple was a common monastery built during Ayutthaya period. In
the past, it was called "Wat Chom Thong," "Wat Chao Thong," or
"Wat Gong Thong." However, the founder of this temple is still
unknown. Prince Chetsadabodin (later crowned King Rama III) had
the whole Wat Chom Thong renovated after he had led the Thai
army to intercept the Burmese army at the Three Pagodas Pass in
Kanchanaburi Province in 1720. When the naval army reached Wat
Chom Thong on Thonburi side, the prince decided to pause and
perform a religious ceremony called Khon Thawan, according to
the old Treatise on War Strategy. He also wished to have victory
in this war but the Burmese army did not come; therefore, he had
the entire Wat Chom Thong renovated and offered it as royal
monastery. King Rama II, then, renamed the temple "Wat Ratcha
Orot," which means the king's son-Prince Chetsadabodin. Although
King Rama III was still a prince when he founded the temple, the
renovation was personal so he restored the temple's artistic
work for his favor. As a consequence, Wat Ratcha Orot is the
first temple mostly decorated in Chinese style which is combined
perfectly and spectacularly with Thai style. The harmony between
the two styles can be seen in the ordination hall and the image
hall, for instance. There is no typical Thai decoration like
Chofa, Bai Raka, and Hang Hong on the roof of the ordination
hall but the roof is covered with Thai-style glazed porcelain
tiles instead. Besides, the monk's cell is constructed like the
building, instead of the original Thai wooden house. The
ornamentation of the temple is combined between Chinese and Thai
styles; for example, the door and window panels in the image
hall where the Reclining Buddha is housed are adorned with Xiao
Gang (Chinese door guardian figure) instead of Theppanom pattern
or typical Thai pattern. In addition, the gables of the
ordination hall and the image hall are also covered with glazed
porcelain tiles. This marks the first time of the perfect and
neat combination of art. |
|
Province |
|
Bangkok |
Direction: |
|
|
|
District |
|
Chom Thong |
|
|
City |
|
Bang
Kho |
Comments: |
|
Official Web: |
|
|
|
Genre |
|
Temples-Churches and Mosques |
|
|
Related links: |
|
|
|
Best exposure |
|
Morning |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rating |
|
     |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening time |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entry fee |
|
Free |
|
|
GPS : |
|
13.70274, 100.46474 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|