Wat Mahannapharam
Wat Mahannapharam Worawihan or Wat Mahan,[1] also known as Wat Mahanop,[2] is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The first state school for the general public in Thailand was established at the temple in 1884.
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History
According to historical records, Wat Mahannapharam Worawihan was constructed in the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851) by Prince Annop, a son of Rama III.[1] The construction began in 1850 with the king providing 80,000 baht. However it was only completed in the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868) when the new king provided a further another 80,000 baht.[3] The name of the temple means "the great abode of water", referring to the Sea of Samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.[1]
The first public school in Thailand was established at Wat Mahannapharam by the abbot of the temple after an instruction was issued by Rama V encouraging temples to set up new schools for the common people in 1884. It was the beginning of mass education in Thailand. A statue of Rama V was later erected at the wat to mark the centenary of the founding of the school.[4][5]
It has been a National Historic Site since 1949.
Buddha image
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The main Buddha image in the bot of the temple is the 500 year old Luang Pho Ruang Buddha from the old capital of Sukhothai.[1]
Takraw
An unusual aspect of the temple is that devotees of the temple may donate rattan takraw balls, and children may play the takraw game within the temple compound.[6][1]
References
- Blaine Johnson. "Wat Mahan Temple". Bangkok Walks.
- "Wat Mahannapharam Worawihan". Chimburi.com.
- "วัดมหรรณพารามวรวิหาร". Watthai.
- Kenneth Barrett (18 February 2014). 22 Walks in Bangkok: Exploring the City's Historic Back Lanes and Byways. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 9781462913800.
- Kullada Kesboonchoo Mead (15 August 2006). The Rise and Decline of Thai Absolutism. Routledge. pp. 74–75. ISBN 978-0415421942.
- "Lesser-known Bangkok temples". Travelfish.org.