The temple itself predates the founding of Bangkok in 1782 and was originally named Wat Rai Phrik. During the reign of King Rama I the temple was restored and renamed Wat Intharam.
The massive standing Buddha which is called Luang Pho To or Phra Si Ariyametri dominates the area with its 32 meters height and 10 meters width.
Construction of the Buddha image started in 1867 during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) and it took 60 years for it to be completed in 1927. The serene looking Buddha image is holding an alms bowl, that monks still use today when they go out in the streets early morning to receive food from lay people.
During the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in the early 20th century, after being renovated the temple received its present name of Wat Intharawihan.
In 1964 and 1967, the current King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Queen Sirikit and their children covered the forehead and the topknot of the Luang Pho To image with gold leaves.
The topknot of Buddha image contains relics of the Buddha found in Sri Lanka, which were a gift from the government of Sri Lanka and installed by Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn in 1978.
In 1982, when the city of Bangkok celebrated its founding 200 years earlier, restoration works were carried out and the image was decorated with Italian golden mosaics. The Luang Pho To image is believed to possess the power of blessing devotees with success. Every day Buddhist people visit the temple complex to make offerings at the feet of the Buddha statue, bring flowers and other items and burning incense sticks.
Location
The temple is located on Thanon Wisut Kasat close to the Rama VIII bridge crossing the Chao Phraya river. You can either get there by metered taxi or take a Chao Phraya express boat to Rama VIII pier, from where it is about 700 meters on foot.
Address: 14 Wisut Kasat Road, Banglamphu, Old City (Rattanakosin)
Opening hours: The temple is open from 8.00am - 10.00pm.
Recommendation ***** (must see)
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| This is where I sit for a short meditation when I come |
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| You can buy bottles of holy water and drop 20 baht per bottle into here. It was said that the holy water was obtained from over 320 holy places. I always get few bottles of it and mixed with normal clear water for offering to my Buchas back home |
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| Luang Pho To or Phra Si Ariyametri |
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| Offerings of flowers at LP To's feet |
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| A new exhibit of life size wax statue of Somdej Toh |
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| Somdej Toh was formerly from Wat Inn and when he became famous, King asked him to become the abbot of Wat Rakhang. His wish was to come back here in Wat Inn again after he passed away. |
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| Few people knows that this is actually Somdej Toh's urn. Ask the temple helper where it is and offer your prayers here |
December 2016
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