Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan

🏰Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan, a first-class royal temple, was built in 1940 after the change of government. The government at the time, led by Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, requested the construction of the temple as a monument to democracy and named it Wat Prachathipatai (Democracy Temple). It was built near the Lak Si Monument to symbolize the unity of nation and religion. 🌳Later, a Thai delegation traveling to India brought back relics of the Buddha found at the Dharmarajika Stupa, a branch of the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and soil from the sacred sites. These were enshrined at the temple, leading to its renaming as Wat Phra Si Mahathat. The temple houses several important structures and sacred objects, including: 🛕Phra Si Mahathat Chedi, a large round stupa enshrining the Buddha's relics. It consists of two layers: an outer large stupa and an inner smaller stupa, allowing visitors to walk around. 🏰The Ubosot (ordination hall), designed in a cruciform shape, houses the principal Buddha image, Phra Si Sumpudmuni, and features murals depicting important sacred sites. The hall is surrounded by a cloister. 🌳The Bodhi tree, grown from a branch brought from India. 🏡The Sala Kan Parian, now known as the Tissamahathera Building, is a two-story Thai-style building used for religious practices. 💥Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan: Phahonyothin Road, Anusawari Subdistrict, Bang Khen District, Bangkok 🌐Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rzznx1xS78fq53o67 🕗Opening hours: 08:00 – 20:00