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Thailand, nicknamed the "Land of Golden Temples," has long been famous for its many magnificent and unique spiritual tourist destinations. But Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is no ordinary temple. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya, Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is the only Buddhist temple in Thailand designed to resemble a Western church.
This unique temple is situated in the middle of a large river.
The exterior of the temple resembles a church.
The temple was built during the reign of King Rama V.
The construction of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat was completed in 1878, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). With a penchant for European architecture, the royal court commissioned an Italian architect, Joachim Grassi, to design the building, which served as the royal temple for the Bang Pa-In Palace on the opposite side of the river.
The most striking feature of this monastery is its Western-style decoration. The ordination hall resembles a Christian church with a Gothic-style sloping roof. The windows inside the temple are adorned with colorful stained glass depicting images of King Rama V.
The main Buddha statue, known as "Phra Buddha Narumol Dhammopas," rests on a plaster pedestal similar to a cross. Opposite the Phra Khanthararat temple is another temple containing a stone Buddha statue seated on a Naga dragon. This is an ancient Buddha statue, over a thousand years old, crafted during the Lopburi period by a Khmer artisan.
The main shrine of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat temple.
The Buddha statue in the main hall of the temple.
Another unique feature of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is the way it is accessed. Because it is situated on an island opposite the Royal Palace, separated by a river, a small cable car system has been installed for transportation, operated by the temple's monks.
Each cable car has a capacity of 6-8 people and is completely free; all donations are voluntary. With its unique architecture resembling a temple in the style of a church, Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is one of the must-see religious attractions in Ayutthaya, drawing many domestic and international tourists.
Thai temples, also known as Wat (Vat), originally meant school, but later came to encompass all monasteries, temples, and shrines. Thai temple architecture harmoniously combines two completely contrasting styles: one with vibrant colors, the other with a gentle, serene atmosphere. This architectural style fully reflects the beauty of the Thai spirit.
The Thai royal family attended the inauguration ceremony of the Buddhist school.
According to statistics, Thailand currently has over 40,000 temples, with approximately 75% of them in operation. The remainder are structures within the ancient Ayutthaya and Sukhothai regions. Thai temples are categorized into various types and ranks. 200 temples in Thailand are recognized as Royal Temples.
Daily sermons by Thai monks take place in solemnity and tranquility. Visitors can participate in meditation courses in Chiang Mai, attend vibrant religious festivals in northeastern Thailand, explore peaceful cave temples in Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi, or admire the scenic beauty of hilltop temples in northern Thailand.
