Located in the heart of the city of Bangkok, this temple’s construction was started by King Rama l in 1807 but was completed during the reign of Rama lll in 1848. The latest renovation of the temple was done in 1959. Wat Suthat Thepwararam is a popular Thai and foreign tourist attraction.
Wat Suthat Thepwararam’s architecture is of early Bangkok period with influences from the Ayutthaya period as well. The architecture consists of the Viharn, the Ubosot and the residential structures. The word Viharn is derived from the Sanskrit word Vihara which has several meanings. However, it also means a monastery which has various rooms or living quarters for monks. The Ubosot – the ordination hall, a shrine hall – contains Buddha images. This hall is used for carrying out rituals and is the most sacred building of the complex. Viharn Kot, residence of the supreme, is also a part of the complex.
Thai temples are known as Wats, derived from the Pali word Vata meaning enclosure. The temple has an enclosing wall which separates it from the rest of the world and maintains its sanctity. The roof of the Viharn is a two-story ancient Thai style with colored glazed tiles, which represents the Viharn as the sea. There is a cloister surrounding this area and there are many statues of Buddha depicting various stories, postures and emotions.
Ubosot was built by Rama lll, the statue of Buddha in Ubosot is called Trilokchet. It’s said to be Thailand’s longest Ubosot. It measures 22.60 meters in width and 72.25 meters in length. The most intriguing feature of the Ubosot is the glass wall in the north and south that serves as a place for the royal “sprinkling” ceremonies to the people. The fresco of Buddha images is also fascinating.
Like all Bharatiya temples, the Wat of Thailand is also a complex in iconography and the spiritual messages are narrated through stories of Buddha depicted on the walls. There is also an image of the Preta (hungry ghost) on the wall. It is the representation of many stories associated with the temple, something that deepens the meaning of the icons. Deriving the names of the temple parts from Pali and Sanskrit also strengthens the cultural unity of the two countries.
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