The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit) - Bangkok

Come and join me in exploring Wat Benchamabophit, commonly known as the Marble Temple in English, one of the most spectacular temples in Bangkok.

Thailand and Bangkok

Thailand officially called the Kingdom of Thailand, is a small South East Asian country located near Myanmar and Cambodia. It was formerly known as Siam.

Though Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy, whereby the prime minister is the head of government and a hereditary monarch is the head of state, it is actually under the control of a military junta.

Thailand has been heavily influenced by the culture of India for several centuries. It is evident from the Indianised names of the kingdoms, cities, and even the Kings. Ramayana, the epic from India, is very popular in Thailand.

Bangkok, known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in the Thai language, is the most populous and capital of Thailand. It is famous for its vibrant street life, ornate temples, massage parlors, and shopping.

The Marble Temple

Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram!

Well, I know it's tough to remember or pronounce this. That's why we call this site the Marble Temple in English or simply Wat Ben in Thai. This is one of the most spectacular and famous temples in Bangkok. Your visit to Bangkok is incomplete if you do not visit this temple.

The temple's name literally means the Fifth King monastery near Dusit Palace. Rama V is mentioned as the fifth king here. He built royal structures and mansions in the Dusit district of Thailand. After finishing the palace, he made this temple in 1899 CE near the palace.

It is one of the six temples in Bangkok and among the ten temples in Thailand, which is bestowed with the title of the highest grade of the first class Royal temple, called Racha Vora Vihan.

The Sanctum 

The sanctum, chapel, or main shrine is called Moolasthan in Hindu temples. In Thailand Buddhist temples, the shrine where the presiding deity is found and where the ordinations occur is called Phra Ubosot.

The temple's ubosot was designed by Prince Narisara Nuvativonnse, half-brother of King Rama V. It was made of imported marble from Italy. The courtyard looks beautiful with shining white marble, and even the four giant pillars at the entrance are made of marble. The roof has multi tiers and Chofahs at the top end (Chofah represents the image of Garuda, the divine bird), similar to the typical Thai architectural style. The golden-decorated windows and carvings in the tower further enhance the temple's beauty. A pair of tall stone lions are found on either side of the main entrance and all three other entrances.

Inside the ubosot, the presiding deity, Phra Buddha Chinnarat, in the subduing Mara mudra depiction, is enshrined. This image replicates the ancient Buddha's appearance in Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat temple in Phitsanulok province.

The bronze image of Buddha is also found in the ubosot. Under this image, the ashes of King Rama V are buried.

The interior walls of the ubosot have paintings that depict various temples of Thailand.

52 Buddha Images 

The gallery around the ubosot has 52 Buddha images. Each image is unique in its style and depiction and is from a different region. Except for very few, most of them are replicas of the original icons found across the globe.

The ceiling of the gallery is well-decorated and gliding. The sound of hundreds of bells that hang all over the gallery is rung by the devotees continuously. It is very pleasing for the ears.

Other Structures 

The Bodhi tree grown from the sapling brought from Bodh Gaya is found behind the ubosot.

A water canal and a beautiful bridge across the canal are found. The other side of the canal has the quarters where the Buddhist monks live. A bell tower, a hall with giant-sized musical instruments, a Dhamma lecture hall, and a hall with the statue and picture of King are also found in the temple complex. Among these structures, Phra Vihara Somdej has notable unique architectural features. It serves as the library. Two icons of Buddha are enshrined in this building.

Happy travelling.