The Temple ofthe Fifth King, as it is originally called. Some tourist also call it The Marble Temple. This is one of the
best attractions you’ll find in Bangkok, Thailand today. Built in 1899, it is
famously known as Wat Benchamabophit,
located in Nakhon Road, Dusit district. This magnificent building was designed
by Prince Narisara, the brother of king Chulalongkorn or Rama V. The
construction started in 1900 and was finished ten years after. It has pillars,
courtyards, and two statue of guarding lions made out of marbles imported from
Italy. A combination of Thai and western architcture, Wat Benchamabophit is unique in its many different features. Its
stained glass windows are also decorated with gold and its roofs are made with
four tier, also decorated with gold carvings.
Entering the temple building, you will find statues
of Buddha placed in the ordination hall. Underneath this Buddha figure was the
ashes of King Rama V and on both sides of this hall, you will see paintings of
different stupas found in many parts
of Thailand. Surrounding this hall also are 53 different images of Buddha, but
only 33 of these paintings are originals. The paintings are collected by prince
Damrong, all displaying the historical development of Buddha images across
Thailand. In Wat Benchamabophit, you’ll also find statues that are depicting the
eleven Buddha gestures and with this, you can really tell that Buddhist
philosophy in Thailand is very much entrenched and alive. You can feel it in
the temple especially when you go there during the morning, when there’s not
much people around. By going at this time of the day, you can also avoid seeing
many tour buses, tourists, and persuasive vendors.
To maintain the cleanliness and the beauty of the
temple, tourists and local users of Wat
Benchamabophit are encouraged to support and offer donations and alms to
the monks that are taking care of the place. These monks maintain the temple
hall, the front and the back part, and most especially, the canal where you can
pay for turtles and fishes that are believed to bring forth good luck to the
people who “buy” and releases them. It is a tradition in Wat Benchamabophit that has been around for decades. This part of
the temple also is the perfect space for relaxation and contemplation because
of its serene and fresh sorroundings. You can sit there and watch the bo tree,
said to have been grown from a branch of the original bo tree of the Buddha
Gaya in India. This tree is planted behind the sacred ubosot, believed to have been brought over from where the Buddha
reached enlightenment.
Within the temple, there are monks living and they
have quarters where they stay. These are also the same monks that take care and
maintain Wat Benchamabophit. Around 6
in the morning, they receive alms from people who are living around the temple.
You can reach this place by taking a taxi ride and for the price of 20 Thai
Baht, you can enter and explore the place. In Wat Benchamabophit, you can really see the essence of Thai culture
in its religiousity and devotion and if you are not contented, you can also
easily reach other destinations that are also worth your time and money such as
the Dusit zoo, Thailand’s first zoo, and the Chitralada Palace where Rama IX
resided. If you really love traveling, visiting Thailand should be put to your
priority travel list and when you’re already there, don’t forget to visit Wat Benchamabophit.
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