Wat Suthat

THAILAND, Bangkok

Wat Suthat is associated with the dwelling place of Sakra. Located to the east of the Grand Palace, this temple is a first class royal temple with the full name Wat Suthat Thepwararam Rajaworamahawihan. Construction began in 1807, under King Rama I (reigned 1782–1809), in order to enshrine a seated Buddha statue named Phra Sri Sakyamuni from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai. The main hall was not completed until the time of King Rama III (reigned 1824–1851) followed by the other buildings. The temple underwent renovation under King Rama V (reigned 1868–1910) and the most recent renovation took place in 1982.
The temple occupies an area of approximately 4.5 ha. The principal buildings include the main hall, ordination hall, pavilion, lecture hall, and monastic living quarters. The main hall is built on a two-tier platform. The terrace on the first tier is surrounded by 28 Chinese style pagodas. The roof of the hall is in three sections and the three-tier eaves are supported by columns forming a veranda. There are prominent porticos with roofs in two sections projecting from the front and back. The teak doors were designed and carved by King Rama II (reigned 1809–1824). Inside the hall there are eight huge columns painted with depictions of the three realms of Buddhist cosmology. The internal walls are finely painted with intricate murals. The main figure of veneration in the hall is the 8 m high bronze statue of Phra Sri Sakyamuni from Sukhothai. The gallery surrounding the temple is lined with 156 seated Buddha statues.