Wat Benjamabophitr

The Marble Temple, or Wat Benjamabophitr, as it is known, was constructed by King Rama 5 in the late 19th century. Located on Nakhon Pathom road opposite one corner of the Chitlada Palace in the Dusit district, it is one of the most beautiful temples of Thailand. Situated next to a canal, Wat Benjamabophitr (Temple of the fifth King) is best known for the lavish use of Italian carrara marble.

The temple presents a beautiful sight when one approaches the temple from the northern main entrance.

The ubosot of this temple is designed symmetrically with multiple layered roofs and beautifully balanced proportions. The ubosot is covered on the outside by marble imported from Italy. In plan, the ordination hall is 'T' shaped, with a long aisle extending from the main entrance to the alter. The windows of the ubosot are a type of stained glass in yellows and white. The ceiling is a beautiful beamed affair in dark red and gold. Small side-aisles on either side of the alter lead to exits into the cloister.

The altar and its main Buddha image is the most beautiful in Thailand. The Buddha image is a copy of a highly revered image, Phra Buddhajinaraja, in Phitsanulok province. King Chulalongkorn himself presided over the casting of the image in Bronze. The image is enthroned against a dark sky-blue background. A golden 'flame' frames the image.

Behind the cloister is a large Bodhi tree. This tree was brought as a gift for King, from Bodh Gaya the place of Buddha's enlightenment in India.

Closest to the eastern wall is the Song Dharm hall. Its a two-storey brick building with elaborately carved gable ends. The hall was built in 1902 by Queen Sawang Vaddana in memory of the Crown Prince, who met an untimely death. Its purpose was to provide a place for King Chulalongkorn to come on holy days to listen to Buddhist recitations. It is now sometimes used for the lying-in-state of some members of the royal family.

Next to the Song Dharm hall are two buildings. The open sided Sri Somdej Pavilion now houses several drums. Among them is a 16-foot long Shan drum captured in 1903 during a Shan uprising. The drum is carved from a single block of rosewood.

Wat Benjamabopit is not easy to get to by public transport alone. Take the Chaophraya River Express boat to Tewet pier and get a tuk-tuk from there or take the Skytrain to Phyathai station and then find a taxi on Sri Ayutthaya road to take you to the temple.

The entrance fee to the temple is 20 Bahts.