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Wat Intharawihan, Bangkok Overview
Wat Intharawihan or Wat Intharavihan in Bangkok is known for the famous Buddha statue, 32 m high. The temple which is situated close to the Chao Phraya River, in the Thanon Wisut Kasat area of Bali, was known as Wat Rai Phrik in the olden times. The pious statue is believed to have the power to fulfill the wishes of the visitors who come to seek blessings.
During the rule of King Rama I, the temple was renovated and named as Wat Intharam. The standing Buddha statue at Wat Intharawihan is a true representation of the Thai religious art and is a must-visit. Wat Intharam also organizes an annual mega temple fair in the month of March (within the first ten days of the month).
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The Standing Buddha Statue
The standing statue of Buddha, which is 105 ft high, is known as Luang Pho To or "Phra Si Ariyamettrai". The colossal statue was completed over a span of 60 years and was the idea of the chief priest of the temple, Ajam Toh, whose shrine has been built at the entrance of the temple.
The interesting part of visiting Wat Intharawihan is the ritual in which tourists climb up the stairs to offer a leaf made of gold to the statue. These stairs are easily accessible to the tourist from the side of the statue, known as the Luang Pho To, till the place of the offering of the gold leaf. At the top of the statue, known as ushnisha, the idol of Gautama Buddha, which was a token of appreciation by the Sri Lankan government, is a major attraction.
Wat Intharawihan has a prayer hall which is referred to as Ubosot or Bod. Renovated in 1982, the architecture of the prayer hall reflects elements from the time of Ayutthaya Kingdom, and thus, one can see the Italian marble and traditional murals forming an intricate part of the interior décor here. Marking the periphery of the bod, boundary stones mounted with a series of Naga images depict the day-to-day life.
Prayer Hall at Wat Intharawihan Source In recent years, the temple has also received a separate segment which houses the shrine of Phra Puttahachan, an abbot of the temple. This dimly-lit section also serves the purpose of a meditation center for the visitors. What is interesting is that the image of the priest has been creatively made up of wax. The chamber also displays a section of stored water containers sourced from different parts of the country. To maintain the wax image in a good condition, this section of the temple is air-conditioned. Another shrine in the temple complex is the sacred Guanyin – female goddess of Avalokitesvara- shrine.
The ideal time to visit Wat Intharawihan is during the early morning when the sun is less harsh and the place is less crowded.
Tips
1. While you are visiting Wat Intharawihan, don’t forget to get a personalized amulet made for yourself or as a souvenir for your friends and family from the shops set up near the temple. 2. As a devotee, if you are interested in making an offering, you must bring a boiled egg, flower garland and mackerel. 3. Dress appropriately and ensure that your knees and shoulders are covered. 4. While in the temple complex, do not smoke, display public affection or talk. 5. Remove your shoes while entering the temples. 6. Do not point your feet towards the image of Gautam Buddha as it is frowned upon by the locals.
How To Reach Wat Intharawihan
One must cross the Chao Phraya river via the Rama VIII bridge to reach the temple located near Thanon Wisut Kasat. Tourists can either opt for a boat ride on the Chao Phraya express boat or hire a metered taxi. Once the boat reaches the destination, the walkable distance to the temple is 700 m. Another great option to commute to Wat Intharawihan is to board any of the buses – 3, 32, 53, 49 and 65 which run on the route leading to the temple.
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