Wat Ratchasittharam Ratchaworawihan, วัดราชสิทธารามราชวรวิหาร, is a second class Royal Temple founded by King Rama I. He built the new royal temple in the area of a more ancient temple named Wat Phlab and combined both into the same monastery. He also invited Phra Archan Suk (Kai Thuan) from Wat Tha Hoy, in Ayutthaya province, to reside in the new temple. This temple was where Kings Rama II, III and IV studied Buddhist practices and meditation. King Rama IV especially used to reside in the temple. Inside the monastery, there is a mural painting telling the stories of the Three Worlds, The Buddha’s Life and Vessandara Jataka. The outside wall depicts the scene of the Royal Barge Procession.
“Phra Viharn Phra Bhuddha Metta”
The first viharn at Wat Ratchasittharam Ratchaworawihan is Phra Viharn Phra Buddha Metta. There were The Four Heavenly Kings were placed at both the front and back of Phra Viharn Phra Phuttha Metta. These deities, known as the Four Heavenly Kings, are guardians of the four cardinal directions in Buddhist cosmology. They are believed to protect the world and uphold the Dharma.
Lord Vessavana, the Guardian of the North.
Lord Virulhaka, the Guardian of the South.
Lord Dhatarattha, the Guardian of the East.
Lord Virupakkha, the Guardian of the West.
In front of Phra Viharn Phra Buddha Metta, you can see sculptures of Lord Vessavaṇa and Lord Dhatarattha.
Phra Buddha Metta
The model of Phra Buddha Metta is a highlight of Wat Ratchasittharam Ratchaworawihan because it was created from Jade where imported from India. Phra Buddha Metta is a Buddha image that represents loving-kindness and compassion. It is placed inside a viharn where people come to pray and find peace.
Inside the viharn, the walls show paintings from the Jataka Tales, which are stories from the Buddha’s past lives. There is also a jade Buddha’s footprint, showing respect for the Buddha’s path. Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings stand around the viharn to protect it from all sides.
“Phra Viharn Luang”
The second viharn is called Phra Viharn Luang or Viharn Daeng because the walls and carpet inside are red. In front of the viharn, there are two red pagodas and four Pixiu statues. It is located close to Phra Viharn Phra Phuttha Metta.
Inside Phra Viharn, Phra Buddha Sitthamongkol is enshrined. On the left side, you can see a sculpture of Phra Ratchavisutthayarn, the 18th former abbot of Wat Ratchasittharam Ratchaworawihan. On the right side, there is a sculpture of Phra Dhamma Rattana Visut, also known as Luang Por Phrai Ngam, the 20th former abbot of the same temple.
This wall shows a traditional Thai pattern often found in temples. The design repeats a figure sitting calmly inside a flame-shaped frame called kranok. The red background stands for sacredness, and the gold color shows respect and purity. This kind of pattern is not just decoration—it helps create a peaceful space for prayer and reminds people of the Buddha’s teachings.
“Phra Ubosot”
The ordination hall (Phra Ubosot) is built with brick and mortar, featuring a two-tiered roof. The gable is decorated with stucco art of Narayana riding on Garuda, surrounded by floral vine patterns. Inside the hall, the walls are painted with murals depicting the life of the Buddha, the Vessantara Jataka, the Gathering of Deities, and the Three Worlds (Traiphum). In front of the Ubosot stand two decorated stupas: Phra Sirasan Chedi, built during the reign of King Rama III, and Phra Sirachumbhot Chedi, built during the reign of King Rama IV. Both stupas are adorned with stucco designs shaped like royal necklaces that extend down to the throne base.
The principal Buddha image in the ordination hall is called “Phra Buddha Chularak.” It is a Rattanakosin-style Buddha image in the Mara Vichaya posture, made of stucco, lacquered, and gilded with gold leaf. The lap width measures 5 sok 2 inches, and the height to the top of the halo is 6 sok 1 span. There is no clear inscription or record about its construction history.
Inside the ordination hall, there are beautiful mural paintings created by royal artisans during the reign of King Rama I. The murals have been carefully restored and maintained over time, including during the reign of King Rama III. The paintings include scenes of the Three Worlds (Traiphum), the Gathering of Deities, the Ten Jataka Tales, and the Life of the Buddha.
“Outside of Phra Ubosot”
Outside the ordination hall, there are mural paintings depicting the Royal Land Procession (Phra Yuhayattra Sathalamaruek), which shows the King’s ceremonial journeys and movements on land for important royal events.
There are 24 cubicles surrounding the Phra Ubosot. In the past, they were used by monks for meditation.
One of the cubicles houses a sculpture of the temple’s first abbot, His Holiness Somdet Phra Sangharaja, Somdet Phra Ariyavongsayan (Suk Yannasangwon).
There are Chinese sculptures surrounding the Phra Ubosot.
Contributors
Am and Nena
