Wat Maha Phruttharam วัด มหาพฤฒารามวรวิหาร , Bangkok

Wat Maha Phruttharam Worawihan, Bangkok, Thailand (29 August, 2006)


Wat Maha Phruttharam (GPS: ; Thai: วัด มหาพฤฒารามวรวิหาร ) is a very old Buddhist temple in the Sampheng district of Bangkok. It occupies a 5.6 acre piece of land overlooking Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. The road running in front of it is also named Maha Phruttharam Road. It meets Charoen Krung Road in front of Hualamphong Railway Station.

Wat Maha Phruttharam has already existed as early as and perhaps even before the Ayutthaya period three hundred years ago. During the Ayutthaya period, it was known as Wat Takien. The name is taken after a miracle tree that grew in its compound.

In 1852, King Rama IV (@ King Mongkut) reconstructed the temple and made it a royal monastery. At the same time, the king renamed it Wat Maha Phruttharam in honor of the chief abbot of the temple, Phramaha Pruttacarya.

Wat Maha Phruttharam contains the Big Presiding Buddha image of Early Sukhothai style. The Buddha is in the subduing mara (demon) posture. It is 3 meters wide and 4.1 meters tall. In front of it are six smaller seated Buddha images. The ubosot (Phra Ubosatha Hall) was built in 1854.

Within the compound of Wat Maha Phruttharam is a Bodhi tree. It was brought from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, during the reign of King Rama IV over a hundred and forty years ago, and is called the Lanka Bodhi Tree.

Getting there

Take the Bangkok MRT to the Hua Lamphong Railway Station (HUA). Coming out of the station, cross Thanon Rama IV (Rama IV Road) and enter Maha Phruttharam Road. This road follows the canal, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, which flows on its right. About 1600 ft (500 meters) down the road, you arrive at Wat Maha Phruttharam on your left.

Entrance gate of Wat Maha Phruttharam Worawihan, Bangkok, Thailand (29 August, 2006)


One of the buildings of Wat Maha Phruttharam Worawihan, Bangkok, Thailand (29 August, 2006)


The Big Sukhothai Buddhat of Wat Maha Phruttharam Worawihan. (29 August, 2006)


The fig tree of Wat Maha Phruttharam Worawihan. (29 August, 2006)


Buddha statue inside the ubosot (or Phra Ubosatha Hall) of Wat Maha Phruttharam Worawihan. (29 August, 2006)
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