Wat Suthat - Wiharn

From an architectural point of view the wiharn of Wat Suthat is of considerably more interest than the bot, as well as having a finer interior. On each side of the almost square building, six pillars with gilded lotus-blossom capitals support the richly decorated gable roof; two of the sides are embellished with superb porches. The massive doorways through which the visitor enters are famous for their carvings, while the shutters of the windows include one carved by Rama III himself. Pillars divide the 30-m (98-ft) high interior into three aisles.

The wiharn was built specially to house the 13th c. Phra Buddha Shakyamuni, which Rama I brought by river to Bangkok from Sukhothai. On its arrival in his new capital the king declared seven days of festivities, the bronze statue being paraded through the streets on the way to its chosen resting place. Rama himself walked barefoot in the procession, becoming so exhausted, it is said, that he staggered into the temple. The statue shows Buddha in the pose known as "pang mara vichaya" (victory over mara). The bronze torso is gold-plated and rests on an ornate stepped podium the lower part of which contains the ashes of Rama VIII (Ananda Mahidol), half-brother of the present King Bhumibol.

Since it was first built, Wat Suthat has been known by several different names. Rama I originally christened it Wat Mahasuthavat; but it soon became popularly known as Wat Phra Yai (The Great Temple) on account of the imposing Buddha.

The wiharn is surrounded by a balustrade adorned with 28 Chinese pagodas, as well as with superb bronze horses and Chinese warrior figures. As is the tradition, rows of gilded Buddhas line the gallery around the inner court.