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Wat Intharawihan (The Big Buddha)

Wat Intharawihan

Wat Intharawihan is a very old temple pre-dating the founding of the city of Bangkok in 1782. It was originally called Wat Rai Phrik until Rama I restored and renamed the temple Wat Intharam. It is famous for its huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho To. The image is 32 meters tall and 10 meters wide. The image is holding an alms bowl. The topknot of the Buddha image contains a Buddha relic from Sri Lanka.

Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
Luang Pho To

The Big Buddha

Construction of the Buddha took 60 years, starting in 1867 during the reign of King Rama IV and was completed in 1927 during the reign of Rama VI. The temples name was later amended to Wat Intharawihan. The image was made from brick and plaster and later refurbished with Italian golden mosaic tiles gilded with 24-karat gold.

Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
The Head & Crown

A Royal Visit

During the mid-1960’s King Bhumibol, Queen Sirikit, and their children covered the forehead and topknot of the image with gold leaves. There is an entrance behind the image leading to a stairway that leads to the Buddha’s shoulder where you can see great views of the surrounding area though it is only rarely open to the public.

Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
The Big Buddha’s Big Feet
Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
The Ordination Hall
Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
Inside the Ordination Hall
Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
Daily life in Siam murals

The temples ordination hall is partly built with Italian marble and the walls are decorated with murals on the theme of daily life in Siam.

Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
Kings Rama 1- 4
Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
Kings Rama 5 – 8

How to Worship Luang Pho To

The Luang Pho To is very popular with local Buddhist’s who believe that the image has the power to bring success into their lives. Worshippers make offerings of mackerel, a boiled egg and a garland of flowers which they place at the feet of Luang Pho To along with incense sticks.

Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok

The Chakri Dynasty & Thai Kings

The Big Buddha isn’t the only point of interest at the temple. There are paintings of all the past Chakri dynasty Thai kings and of the current King and Queen above a well containing holy water that is said to aid good health and eliminate ill-fortune. There are also statues of famous pre-Rattanakosin Thai Kings such as Naresuan and Taksin. Behind these statues is a Chinese shrine to several Chinese deities such as Guan Yin.

Wat Intharawihan Temple Bangkok
Naresuan the Great
Wat Intharawihan
Chinese Shrine

Where is Wat Intharawihan?

Location: Wisut Kasat Road.

District: Dusit

Opening Hours: 06.00-18.00 daily

Admission: Free

Rules: Dress respectfully

How to get there:

Bus: No. 3, 6, 9, 17, 30, 32, 33, 43, 49, 53, 64, 65.

Maphttps://goo.gl/maps/Qgppo5hxswE2

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