Introduction:King Phra Nangkao Chaoyuhua, or King Rama III of the Chakri Dynasty, had a command to build Wat Ratchanaddaram Woravihar as an honor to his niece; HRH Princess Somanas Wathanavadi whose former name was Princess Somanas, a daughter of HR Prince Lukkananukhun who was a son of King Rama Ill and Mom Ngiew. She was born on 21 December 1834. Her father died before she was 1 year old.
After that, King Phra Nangklao was her caregiver. In 1846, the King ordered to arrange a royal ceremony of cutting off the topknot of the Princess as well as build Wat Ratchanaddaram or Wat Ratchanadda as a tribute paid to the Princess who afterwards became Her Majesty the Queen Somanas Wathanavadi of King Rama I. Apart from significant buildings of Phra Ubosot (the ordination hall) and Phra Viharn (the assembly hall), King Phra Nangklao also ordered to build Loha Prasat in Wat Ratchanaddaram. The first "Loha Prasat or Metal Palace" was built in India.The second one was in Sri Lanka and the last one was in Thailand. Fortunately, only "Loha Prasat" in Thailand has still existed until the present time.
1. At the auspicious beginning of the 50th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne (Kanchanaphisek in Thai) in 1995, the Supreme Patriarch presented Buddha's relics in gold, glass and silver urns at the temple's Mitzvah Hall. Cwat BovomNivet Temple). The items were then transported in royal vehicles to the Jade Buddha Temple and placed on a sacred platform. On Tuesday, 14 February 1995, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attended a ceremony on behalf of His Majesty the King, during which the holy relics were presented to the Loha Prasat Pagoda. On Monday, February 27, 1995, His Majesty the King presided over a royal offering ceremony on the spire roof of LohaPrasat, which marks LohaPrasat as now fully established asa Buddhist stupa, as if the presence of a great one had provided spiritual support for the faithful. This is evident from the prayer text for the worship of the sage: "We honor the Buddha's sage and the enlightened one himself."
Phra Ubosot is the first building in the monastery where King Phra Nangklao wanted to install the principle Buddha image named "Phra Setthamuni?. The King and HRH Princess Somanas Wathanavadi presided over the opening ceremony of the construction of Phra Ubosot from 16-17 August 1846. Chao Phraya Yommaraj (Bunnak Yommanak) was responsible for the construction. The Princess proceeded in the naming ceremony of Phra Ubosot on 4 November 1846.
After that, the king ordered to take the principle Buddha image of which the inside was casted of copper, mined at Chanteuk District in Nakhon Ratchasima province from the Grand Palace to install in Phra Ubosot. On the way to Phra Ubosot, a serious accident occurred with the death of 4 people including Chao Phraya Yommaraj. King Rama 5 named the principle Buddha image as “Phra Buddha Setthamamunin.”
1846 King Rama lIl commanded the construction of Wat Ratchanatdaram, with the Loha Prasat as the temple's principal chedi.
1851 King Rama Ill died. The construction got only as far as the laying brick and laterite brickstone structure and awaiting stucco work.
1901-1909 During the reign of King Rama V, the Loha Prasat was constantly maintained.
1949 With the construction of Sala Chaloem Thai Movie Theater by the city administration at the corner of Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and Mahachai Road in front of Wat Ratchanatdaram, the view and the environment surrounding the Loha Prasat was for a certain period of time completely blocked.
1951-1963 Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, the then Prime Minister, entrusted the Department of Public and Municipal Works, Ministry of Interior, with the renovation of the Loha Prasat. Concentration was on reinforcement of the structure using ferroconcrete, expand the rain water drainage system, improve the spiral stairway, doors and windows and touch up the surface.
1982 On the occasion of Rattanakosin Bicentennial Celebration 1982, the government came up with the project to conserve the sites in Rattanakosin Island that were significant in terms of history, archaeology, art and architecture. Loa Prasat thus underwent further renovation.
1987 As part of the government-sponsored celebrations of HM King Phra Nang Klao's (Rama Ill's)
bicentennial birthday anniversary, it was deemed appropriate to launch a better public view of Wat Rajanaddaram through the demolition of Sala Chaloem Thai Theater which had completely blocked the view of Loha Prasad through the years. Space was also provided for the construction of the king's monument along with the ceremonial pavilion to officially receive state visitors and Maha Chesadabodindra Plaza. It was then that Thai people were, and will from now on be permanently, able to get a good glimpse of the Loha Prasad.
1998 The Fine Arts Department embarked on the survey and excavation in search of historical evidence prior to renovation.
1999 The first phase of renovation includes the improvem surrounding landscape and covering the spires on the top with metal in keeping with the ancient concept.
Sariputta was born in the kingdom of Pasenadi (in modern Indonesia). He was originally a Brahmin who converted to Buddhism after meeting the Buddha and became one of his chief disciples. Sariputta was one of the Buddha's most accomplished disciples and was known for his superior wisdom and insight. The Buddha once praised him as "the wisest of the wise". He is often portrayed in Buddhist texts as being able to deeply understand the Buddha's teachings and explain them clearly to others. Sariputta is considered one of the main transmitters of the Dharma in Buddhist tradition. He taught the Dharma to many monks and nuns, helping them achieve liberation and enlightenment. Sariputta was known for his wisdom, compassion, and teachings. His wisdom and insight helped many people escape suffering, and he is revered as a great saint in Buddhist tradition.
2000 The second phase of renovation involves 12 spires on the middle level
Upon its completion, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represented
His Majesty the King in the ceremony to surmount the lotus-bud-shaped pinnacle atop the mondo at 09:00 hrs. on Friday, 31 March, 2000.
2002 The third phase of renovation was carried out on the remaining 24 spires in the lower levels.
2007 With the completion of the renovation, the Loha Prasat is restored back to its splendid form, a spectacle gracing the entire universe.
3D MODEL:
Group member
