Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratchaworawihan

King Mongkut’s vision. That’s the driving force behind Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratchaworawihan. We stand before a testament to his determination, a royal monastery of the first class. Wat Ratchapradit wasn’t always destined for reverence. The land it occupies was once set aside for a coffee plantation by King Nangklao (Rama III). Upon his death, King Mongkut (Rama IV) had a different idea. He envisioned a temple, a spiritual counterpart to Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana. These two temples shared names with significant temples in Ayutthaya, the old capital. Wat Ratchapradit would complete the trio. King Mongkut faced a challenge. The ground, situated near a canal, was too soft to support a substantial structure. His ingenious solution involved a public performance of traditional Thai dance. The price of admission? An empty garlic jar. Thousands of these jars became the foundation of Wat Ratchapradit’s ordination hall. Construction began in 1864 and concluded a mere seven months later. The temple’s full name, bestowed by the King, was Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Mahasimaram. The Phra Viharn Luang, a combined vihara and ordination hall, is Wat Ratchapradit’s centerpiece. It is clad in grey marble tiles. The pediment showcases a golden royal crown, King Mongkut’s emblem, set against a backdrop of blue glass. Look closely at the gilded teak frames of the central door and windows. They are crowned with traditional crown-shaped pediments, another subtle nod to the King. Inside, murals depict royal festivals and scenes from the King’s life, including him observing a solar eclipse. The main Buddha image, a replica of the Phra Phuttha Sihing, holds the ashes of King Mongkut. Behind the Phra Viharn Luang, the Pasana Chedi, or “Stone Chedi,” rises. This large, grey marble stupa stands as another tribute to King Mongkut. Flanking the main hall are two white shrines, each topped with a prang-style spire. The eastern shrine, the Ho Trai, houses sacred texts, while the western shrine, the Ho Phra Chom, holds a gilded bronze statue of King Mongkut. The temple grounds also house smaller stupas. They contain the relics of revered monks, including Wat Ratchapradit’s first abbot, Sa Pussadeva. He was a key figure in the Dhammayuttika sect, making Wat Ratchapradit the sect’s first temple. He was later appointed Supreme Patriarch by King Chulalongkorn. Wat Ratchapradit is more than just a temple. It is a story etched in stone and marble, a testament to a king’s vision and ingenuity.