Sunday, March 16, 2008

Marvelous Marble Temple

Marvelous is an understated description of Wat Benchamabophit or more popularly known as The Marble Temple of Bangkok. This temple is made of white Carrana marble, thus the name.

This Wat was Constructed by King Rama V in 1901. It showcases European ecclesiastic details like stained-glass windows and contains a superb collections of Buddha images made of Bronze.

Surrounding the Temple is a park-like atmosphere of fountains, ponds and various statues of Buddha, Praying Monks and dragons.

Here are some photos I have taken in my trip to that Marvelous Marble Temple:


Buddha Statues of all shapes, forms and sizes are lined-up in the Wat's corridors.



Thais love to pray and this Temple has several beautiful spots for them to meditate and pray.



Dragon statues also abound in the Wat. The dragon above guards the the Song Phanuat hall. The hall was originally built in the Grand Palace for King Chulalongkorn when he entered the monkhood. During the restoration of Wat Benjamabopit, the King had the building moved there to serve as the abbot's residence.



A beautiful pond with a bridge and fountains is a nice place to just rest and unwind. Buddha statues made of cement and tall trees are lined-up neatly at both sides of the pond.


Bangkok has more than three thousand temples so it is nearly impossible to visit them all. However, one should not miss to visit the more popular and amazing ones and should include the Marble Temple in their itinerary.

More temples on my next posts.

42 comments:

  1. Nadaanan ko itong templo na ito. Nagulat ako dahil may nakita akong MALAKING bayawak na umaakyat sa bakod mula sa ilog!

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  2. wow! what a picturesque place! very nice shots!
    Wiley Willows photoblog

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  3. Impressive temples.

    I like the composition of your pictures. Nice interaction between those statues and the background. Well done!

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  4. Thailand is all about the temples for me. It'd be good to visit there one day!

    Great coverage on the Marble Temple!

    (:

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  5. sana makupunta rin ako dyan. =)

    nice views!

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  6. @ anino - wala ako nakita malaki bayawak, sayang.

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  7. @ luke - thanx, the place is just surrounded by picturesque scenes that anyone there could take wonderful shots.

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  8. @ sidney - wow. coming from you, i am honored. tnx a lot.

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  9. @ uma por dia - indeed, evrything in there is marvelous... from the temples to the park.

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  10. @ kyels - thank you, i really want to shoot the bronze buddha inside the temple but a ceremony is going on that prevented us to go inside.

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  11. @ coldman - salamat, i'm sure makakalibot ka din sa bangkok one of these days.

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  12. A fascinating temple and such a wonderful place. Nice shots.

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  13. gorgeous
    thanks for sharing !

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  14. When I was there, I didn't really know this is the Marble Temple as I went in through one of the back entrance, thinking it is a school or something. Until I arrived at the main gate and I turn over, then I recognised this famous photo of the Marble Temple. Very beautiful indeed.

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  15. You have a powerful blog with many fine quality photographs of your country and the highlights in it. It is very well done.

    Thank you for visiting my blog and for your nice comments about me wearing a blonde wig.

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  16. dami talaga temple dun pero i've been there three times, grand palace lang napuntahan ko :p

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  17. That is a beautiful place. It would be relaxing to be able to sit outside with all the fountains ans wonderful scenery.

    Thanks for stopping by my place and playing the book meme. Are you reading Jurassic Park by any chance?

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  18. Amazing and wonderful temple!

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  19. Nice pictures and such an interesting post.

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  20. @ ruth - every temple in bangkok has their own fascinating story, marble temple is no exception.

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  21. @ cathrine - you are welcome. tnx for passing by.

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  22. @ vincent - it is always nice to be surprised sometimes and i bet your not complaining. i agree - such a beautiful place.

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  23. @ oldmanlincoln - i am proud to share this part of the world with all of you guys. tnx for the very nice comment.

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  24. @ estan - di ko napuntahan grand palace, maybe next time.

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  25. @ sharon - know what, it is only now that i feel relaxed by looking at these pics, i was busy shooting pics there.

    about the book meme. jurassic park, the lost world, it is. amazing.

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  26. @ quintarantino - amazing indeed.

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  27. @ andrea - thanks for the interest and for the visit.

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  28. What an awesome place. Fantastic pictures.

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  29. Wow! Marvelous~is an understatement! Gorgeous~ and look at that roof..or roofs~incredible! Wonderful captures!! I especially love the last two!!
    Cat

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  30. Beautiful pictures. I sometimes go to the Marble Temple - wonderful way to escape from the craziness of Bangkok. I like the feel of the marble under bare feet!

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  31. I love that temple made of marble - so elegant and impressive :)

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  32. I'm wishing to be in Thailand because I want to learn their dance. I wish to wear those long and pointed finger nails while dancing. :)

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  33. @ ash - really awesome place and a marvelous temple. thnx for the visit.

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  34. @ cat - i also love those intricate thai architecture. very beautiful indeed.

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  35. @ chanpheng - i didn't go there barefooted but i think i know how it feels. the cool marble tickling your feet. thanx for passing by.

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  37. @ ginabeloved - i have witnessed one of their dance in erawan shrine and i will post pics of the dance here soon.

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  38. I have been longing to visit Bangkok and the Marble Temple will definitely be in my itinerary.

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