Wat Ratchabophit

Wat Ratchabophit
View of Wat Ratchabophit Complex
Location within Bangkok
Basic information
Geographic coordinates	13°44′57″N 100°29′50″E / 13.74917°N 100.49722°E / 13.74917; 100.49722Coordinates: 13°44′57″N 100°29′50″E / 13.74917°N 100.49722°E / 13.74917; 100.49722
Affiliation	Theravada Buddhism
Country	Thailand
Architectural description
Founder	King Chulalongkorn
Completed	1869 A.D.

Wat Ratchabophit or formally Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratcha Wara Maha Wihan is a Buddhist temple located in on Atsadang Road, Bangkok, along Khlong Lot, not far from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. The temple was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

The temple features a unique layout, with its wiharn and ubosot joined by a circular courtyard, at the center of which stands a gilded chedi. The golden chedi (43m high) is covered with orange-coloured tiles and on top of the chedi, there is a golden ball. There is a relic of Buddha inside and the chedi was built in Sri Lankan style. The ordinal hall has 10 door panels and 28 window panels each decorated with gilded black lacquer on the inside.

The interior of the temple or bod, is inspired by gilded Italian architecture that Rama V saw on a visit to Europe. The entrance doors are 3m high and are decorated with inlaid mother-of-pearl, which represents various medals and decorations. The drum tower is a two-storeyed one with hectogonal spires decorated with Benjarong ceramic nagas and Erawan heads.

On the west end of the temple grounds is the Royal Cemetery, with numerous monuments to major and minor members of the Royal Family, most notably those in the immediate family of King Chulalongkorn. One of the memorials, the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, contains the ashes of Mahidol Adulyadej, Srinagarindra and Galyani Vadhana. A Christian church is on the grounds, as are many chedis and Khamer-face towers.