The Loha Prasat Temple in Bangkok

One of the most remarkable structures in Bangkok is the Chedi Loha Prasat temple, part of the Wat Ratchanatda. This can be found near the "old" city of Bangkok on the so-called Rattanakosin island, near the Khaosan road and Wat Saket. In the middle of the Wat Ratchanatda is the 37 meter high Chedi Loha Prasat built.

Rama lll had studied Buddhism in Sri Lanka and so came up with the idea of ​​having a similar structure, as seen in Sri Lanka and India, built in Bangkok. He had the Wat Ratchanatda built for his cousin Mom Ying Sommanad Wattanawadi in 1846 to provide her with a meditation center. Due to the complexity of the construction, the building was not completed until Rama Vl.

The name Wat Ratchanatda actually means "Monastery of the Royal Cousin". This cousin, however, later became the wife of King Mongkut (Rama lV). The name Loha Prasat refers to the Indian name at the time of Lord Buddha.

The building appears as a pyramid with three concentric square floors. But the striking thing is that the tier edges are finished with 37 metal chedis, each with long thin iron spikes with a small Burmese "parasol" on top. The number 37 refers to the 37 virtues, which lead the Buddhist believer to enlightenment. If one climbs to the top floor via a staircase, there is a placard explaining the concept of Nirvana.

The top floor is decorated as Mondop, finished with a slender spire. Here the sacred objects are kept in a shrine with a dark box containing a relic of Buddha.

At the back of the Loha Prasat is a market for amulets and Buddha images.

Source: bangkokculturaltours

– Relocated in memory of Lodewijk Lagemaat † February 24, 2021 –