Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn

Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn is categorized as the third degree of Thailand’s royal monastery. It is situated at 90, Sti Ayuttaya Road, Vajiraphayabarn Sub-District, Dusit District, Bangkok.Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn was once called Samorkraeng. It is an ancient temple which was constructed before Rattanakosin city was initiated. King Rama I, the first king of Chakri dynasty, set up the temple once again. Later, Chaofahkromluang Pitakmontri, a son of Somdejchaofah kromphrayathepsudavadee, renovated it. And, Kromphrapitaktewes (Phraongchao Kunchorn), a son of King Rama II, did continue renovating the temple to be as gorgeous as today.Later, King Ramam IV was listed Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn as the third degree of Thailand’s royal monastery and he is the one who bestowed the name ‘Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn’. He put the word ‘Thewarat’ in front of the word ‘Kunchorn’ which is the old name of Kromphrapitaktewes, the one who renovated this temple.Previously, the temple was named Samorkraeng because there are many Myrobalan Trees around the temple. Some assumed that the word ‘Samor’ slightly distorted from the Khmer word ‘Thamor’ which means stone as at first this temple was called as ‘Thamorkraeng’, a vigorous stone. The ubosot of Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn was newly built during the reign of King Rama III. This ubosot is pretty similar to the one at Wat Prakaew. The wall of the ubosot got the mural painting all over. Above the window, there is a mural which passes on a story of Buddhist gods that gathers together. The principle Buddha image of the temple named ‘Phra Buddha Thewaratpatimakorn’ which is a metal Buddha image covered with gold. The Buddha image is in the attitude of subduing Mara and it was made by the craftsman in Thavaravadee period.After paying homage to Phra Buddha Thewaratpatimakorn, visitors mostly offer set of monk’s robes instead of flowers and joss sticks. This is because set of monk’s robes can make double holy. And, Wat Thewarat Kunchorn Worawiharn is the first temple that uses set of monk’s robes as worship offerings. Besides, there is a mondop with four gable ends situated inside the temple and there is Luang Po Dum inside the hall. Luang Po Dum is a Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara which was made during Ayuttaya period. Visitors can come over the temple everyday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the admission is free. For more information, please call 02-2812430.