Wat Thepthidaram & Sunthorn Phu Museum - Royal Temple Bangkok

Wat Thepthidaram Worawihan or popularly known as Wat Thepthidaram is a third class royal Buddhist temple located in the area known as Pratu Phi or official name Samran Rat, Bangkok, near Mahakan Fort and Wat Ratchanadda.

It is a historic temple, formerly named Wat Phraya Krai Suan Luang. King Nangklao (Rama III) founded the temple in 1836 in honour of his eldest daughter Princess Vilas, the Princess Apsorn Sudathep. The princess was a favorite of the king.

Construction was completed in 1839 and a new royal name was bestowed as Wat Thepthidaram ("the temple of the celestial daughter"). Princess Vilas herself also contributed personally to the construction of the temple.

The ordination hall contains the principal Buddha image. The image was carved form pure white stone, King Rama III brought it from the Royal Grand Palace to this temple. It got the name Luang Pho Khao (white reverend father).

Another interesting attraction of this temple is there are 52 images of bhikkhunīs (female monk) in the bhikkhunī sanctuary on the left side of the ordination hall. This is different from any other temple.

The temple was also used as the residence of Sunthorn Phu, the royal poet in the early Rattanakosin era, while he ordained as a monk (under patronage of Princess Vilas). This monk's dwelling is now open as the Sunthorn Phu Museum.

It was declared a national monument by the Fine Arts Department in 1977.

In 1986, UNESCO honored Sunthorn Phu for his outstanding cultural contributions, 131 years after his death, and awarded him the title, Great Personality of the World for his contributions to mankind.

The temple is surrounded by many other attractions and is worth a short visit to see if you are in the area.

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