Wat Mahannapharam

Wat Mahannapharam

Wat Mahannapharam Worawihan or Wat Mahan,^[1] also known as Wat Mahanop,^[2] is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The first state school for the general public in Thailand was established at the temple in 1884.

History[]

According to historical records, Wat Mahannapharam Worawihan was constructed in the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851) by Prince Annop, a son of Rama III.^[1] The construction began in 1850 with the king providing 80,000 baht. However it was only completed in the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868) when the new king provided a further another 80,000 baht.^[3] The name of the temple means "the great abode of water", referring to the Sea of Samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.^[1]

The first public school in Thailand was established at Wat Mahannapharam by the abbot of the temple after an instruction was issued by Rama V encouraging temples to set up new schools for the common people in 1884. It was the beginning of mass education in Thailand. A statue of Rama V was later erected at the wat to mark the centenary of the founding of the school.^[4][5]

It has been a National Historic Site since 1949.^{[citation needed]}

Buddha image[]

Buddha image in Wat Mahannapharam

The main Buddha image in the bot of the temple is the 500 year old Luang Pho Ruang Buddha from the old capital of Sukhothai.^[1]

Takraw[]

An unique tradition in this temple is that devotees of the temple can donate rattan takraw balls, and children are allowed to play the takraw game within the temple compound.^[6][1]

References[]