Tuesday, July 17, 2007

WAT CHANASONGKHRAM RATCHAWORAMAHAWIHAN
King Rama I appointed a Mon group of monks to look after this Ayutthaya period temple, so it became known in the Mon language as Wat Tong Pu. When Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Surasinghanat moved his troops back to Bangkok after victory in the battle of the Nine Armies, there was a ceremony of ritual bathing and changing of robes before he entered the Grand Palace, so the main temple was restored in 1787. After that, King Rama I gave it the name Wat Chanasongkhram.

Ubosot: This dates from the reign of King R.jma I. Gable end decoration is a Naga or serpent, a special feature of Front Palace artisans. Behind the chapel walls and window frames are flame motifs. Ogival stones on the temple wall are in the shape of Vishnu mounted on a Garuda. The outside arch has stucco flame motifs, while inside the door frames are coloured paintings. Around the chapel and behind the principal Buddha image are containers of the ashes of the princes of five kings.

Chedi: Two chedis were built in front of the chapel in the early Rattanakosin period. They are in the Jom Hae, or wide base and sharp top shape.

Principal Buddha Image: Phra Putthanorasitrilokachet is an image in the Subduing Mara posture, made of plaster, lined with lead and gilded,
in the reign of King Rama I. The base is surrounded by 15 Buddha images which were all made at the same time.