Curious about a temple with Ayutthaya roots? Wat Khuha Sawan Worawihan is our next stop. This historic Buddhist temple sits in Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen District. Its story stretches back centuries.
Wat Khuha Sawan Worawihan dates to the late Ayutthaya period. No one knows its founder. The ubosot shows Ayutthaya architecture. Look for the gable pattern carved in wood. Find it on the front and back of the ordination hall. The small gable’s wings are lowered. Two wings sit on each side. This shows craftsmanship from the Ayutthaya period. The sema stones are a pair of colours. They are made of red sandstone. This is also late Ayutthaya craftsmanship.
Later, the sema arch was built. The original sema was on a cement pedestal. King Rama I restored the whole temple. He renamed it Wat Khuha Sawan. Before it was called Wat Sala Si Na. That means “four-fronted pavilion temple”. Wat Khuha Sawan means “celestial cavern temple”.
Long ago, Wat Khuha Sawan held a large bronze Buddha image. It was from the early Ayutthaya period. King Rama I moved it to Wat Pho. It became the principal Buddha image there.
Today, Wat Khuha Sawan Worawihan is a third-class royal temple. It falls into the worawihan category. Usually, you cannot enter the ubosot. Its beautiful architecture can still be admired. See it best from a canal boat. The temple sits along Khlong Bangkok Yai.
Many interesting places surround Wat Khuha Sawan. Visit the Khlong Bang Luang Artist House. Explore the Khlong Bang Luang Traditional Waterside Community. Also nearby is Wat Kamphaeng Bang Chak. These are all cultural attractions.
Behind Wat Khuha Sawan is a small pathway. It runs parallel to the Khlong Bangkok Yai. This leads to Sutham Suksa. It is a local kindergarten and elementary school. Within the school lies Wat Suwan Khiri. This abandoned temple likely dates back to the late Ayutthaya period.
Only the principal Buddha image remains. It is called Luang Pho Suwan Khiri. It sits in meditation. The image is enshrined in a Chinese-style shrine. Wat Suwan Khiri has been empty since King Rama VI. There were no resident priests. It was incorporated into Wat Kuha Sawan. People still seek blessings from Luang Pho Suwan Khiri. They pray for their well-being. Wat Khuha Sawan Worawihan offers a glimpse into Bangkok’s past. Its history and art connect us to earlier times.