Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Wat Mahathat )

This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. It is located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University. The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.

Originally called Wat Salak, is situated between Sanam Luang and Tha Phra Chan Pier, near Thammasat University. The Supreme Patriarchs resided there during the early Rattanakosin Period. Maha Chulalongkrorn Rajavitthayalai, a Buddhist university, is also situated within the temple ground. The temple was built in the Ayutthaya Period and was renovated in 1783 by Prince Surasinghanart, younger brother of King Rama I, and renamed Wat Nipphanaram.

Before the first Grand Council to revise the Buddhist tripitaka was convoked in 1788 , King Rama I renamed the temple Wat Phra Sri Sanphechayadaram and later rename it "Wat Mahathat" following the tradition from the Ayutthaya Period to give this name to the temples that housed relics of the Buddha. King Rama IV added the name "Yuwarajarangsarit" in honor of Prince Vachirunnahis.

Important structures include the phra mondop in front of the phra ubosot and the phra vihara in which the sacred relics of Buddha are installed. There is also the Supreme Patriarsh's residence, the Vihara Pho Lanka, or Vihara Noi, where King Rama IV resided when he was a monk, and Akarn Watthu, or Red Building , where once was housed Bangkok's first library.The statue of Prince Surasinghanart at the front of the temple was erected long after his death and is a product of the imagination rather than a portrait.

Detail Wat :

Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Wat Mahathat )Phra Nakhon, Bangkok


Tel: 222-6011, 222-8004

The temple complex is open daily from 9.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.