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Wat Ratchanatdaram

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Wat Ratchanaddaram - The Black Metal Pagoda

  • January 30, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by SeenThat from Tel Aviv, Israel
Wat Ratchanaddaram - The Black Metal Pagoda

The sharp contrast between this beautiful, neat, black and white, minimalist temple and the typical green and orange Thai pagodas is the first sign telling the visitor that this temple is special.

History

Its history confirms the first impression. The Black Metal Pagoda was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846, as a replica of an historic Sri Lankan Buddhist temple; having the original been destroyed, the temple in Bangkok became unique of its kind in the world.

Reaching Wat Ratchanatdaram

Reaching the Black Metal Pagoda is easy; the temple is at Ratchadamnoen corner Mahachai, near the Democracy Square. The Grand Palace, the Golden Mount, Wat Pho and Khaosan Road are all at walking distance from it. Even the Chao Praya River is not far away.

Due to its nearness to Khaosan Road, all the transport serving that location is fine for reaching the temple.

An attractive option for reaching it is using the Chao Praya Express Boat from anywhere along the riverside to the Memorial Bridge Pier, and then taking a healthy walk or a taxi from there.

Monks and Market

Many monks attend the complex and are more than happy for an opportunity to practice their English. Near the temple is the Amulets Market, where expensive Buddhist charms can be bought; the same merchandise can be found elsewhere in Bangkok at better prices.

Structure

The temple is famous for its Metal Castle (Loha Prasat) west of the complex main temple. The five levels castle is square and has thirty-seven spires; the central one reaches thirty–seven meters above the street level. The upper three levels host the beautiful and elaborated cast iron spires which give the temple its common name, unusual shape and black color.

Climbing all the way up to the spires’ level and taking a close look at the unique roof is possible; the Golden Mount is in clear sight from there and in clear days, glorious views of Bangkok are available.

The interior is unusually uncluttered for a Thai temple and has a handsome wooden, spiral staircase constructed with thick wood steps inserted in a central metal column; it leads up to the spires. Also this secondary structural aspect of the temple is very unusual. Classical drums used to call for the prayers adorn the interior.

Symbols

The temple design symbolizes the different qualities contributing to enlightenment in Buddhism. In fact, the temple is an open Buddhist encyclopedia; the main aspects of Buddhist doctrine can be read on the building structure, similarly to the situation in Angkor Wat.

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