Wat Dusidaram Worawihan

Hidden in plain sight. Wat Dusidaram Worawihan whispers tales of resilience and rebirth. This remarkable temple stands as a testament to Bangkok’s ever-evolving landscape. Wat Dusidaram Worawihan holds a unique position in Bangkok’s history. It’s a third-class royal temple. The main ubosot was built by a daughter of King Rama I. A cloister encloses it. Beyond this enclosure, Wat Dusidaram reveals its layered past. Two older structures reside there. These date back to the late Ayutthaya period. They originally served Wat Phumarin Ratchapaksee. This neighboring temple merged with Wat Dusidaram during King Rama VI’s reign. The larger of the two buildings is a wiharn, or assembly hall. The smaller building is the ubosot, the ordination hall. Both boast the distinctive curved lines of a Chinese ship. This architectural style, known as thong sampao, was popular in the late Ayutthaya period. Inside the ubosot, vibrant murals from this era still adorn the walls. A small, raised wooden structure stands between the two buildings. This is a ho trai, a library traditionally used to safeguard temple manuscripts. Its elevated position over a pond protects the precious documents from insects. Wat Dusidaram Worawihan was not immune to the ravages of time and conflict. During World War II, the area suffered bombardment. Wat Dusidaram sustained some damage, while Wat Phumarin Ratchapaksee suffered more extensive damage. Nearby, Wat Noi Thongyu was almost completely destroyed. Only fragments of the ordination hall and its enclosure wall remained. The murals within Wat Dusidaram’s ordination hall, damaged during the war, were meticulously restored by the Fine Arts Department in 1983. Wat Dusidaram has also been part of an initiative to bring attention to Bangkok’s hidden temples. Light and sound shows illuminate the temple’s history and integrate the local community into the experience. Wat Dusidaram Worawihan continues to serve as a place of worship. It also offers a glimpse into Bangkok’s rich and layered past. It’s a place where ancient traditions meet modern revitalization efforts.