Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram

"Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, also known as the Marble Temple, is a prominent Buddhist temple located in the Dusit District of Bangkok, Thailand. Recognized for its stunning architecture, it is one of the city’s most famous temples and a major tourist attraction. The temple embodies the distinctive Bangkok style, characterized by high gables, stepped roofs, and intricate finials. Construction of Wat Benchamabophit began in 1899, commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) after the establishment of his nearby palace. Designed by Prince Naris, the temple is constructed with Italian Carrara marble, including its pillars, courtyard, and two large lion statues guarding the entrance to the ordination hall (bot). The interior is adorned with lacquered crossbeams and gold accents, while the walls feature paintings of significant stupas across Thailand. The surrounding cloister holds 52 Buddha statues. Inside the ordination hall, the main Buddha image, Phra Buddhajinaraja, was cast in 1920 in the Sukhothai style, inspired by the original statue in Wat Mahathat in Phitsanulok. Beneath this statue lie the ashes of King Chulalongkorn. The gallery around the hall displays 52 Buddha statues, each depicting different mudras, which were collected by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab for the king. The temple is also home to the Benchamabophit National Museum. Devotees visit the temple daily to offer alms to the monks between 06:00–07:30 in the morning. The temple is especially lively during Buddhist festivals such as Magha Puja in February and Visakha Puja in May, with a popular evening candlelight procession around the bot. The temple’s façade is featured on the reverse side of Thailand’s Five-Baht coin, cementing its cultural significance."

"A short stroll from the river, Wat Benchamabophit captivates with its elegant fusion of European and Thai architectural styles. Constructed from Italian marble, the temple offers a unique perspective on the blending of cultures in Thailand's history."