Statue of Rama III
photo by Ahoerstemeier

Wat Ratchanaddaram, meaning the Temple of the Royal Grand-Daughter, was built to the order of Rama III (King Nangklao) for his grand-daughter Mom Chao Ying Sommanas Wattanavadi in 1846.

The temple is best known for the Loha Prasat, a multi-tiered structure 36m high and having 37 iron spires, signifying the 37 Things on the Side of Awakening:

• The Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness
• Four Right Strivings
• Four Paths to Power
• Five Faculties
• Five Strengths
• Seven Factors of Awakening
• Noble Eight-Fold Path

It is the third Loha Prasada (brazen palace) in existence, modelled after the earlier ones in India and Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The Prasat was begun by Rama III, but it was only completed in the 21st century. The spires are made of iron, and there is an open iron staircase inside. From the top you have a very good view out over the city, and a splendid view of the Golden Mount.

There is also an installation describing the history of the building, and there are many short but well-written introductions to various doctrinal aspects of Buddhism inside the building, so that it functions as a teaching place also.

There are also the usual Ubosot and Viharn, both of which were closed when I was there, and around the temple is a bustling amulet market but no photographs are included here.