Description of the attraction
Wat Ratcha Orasaram is a Buddhist temple of the first, highest level and contains an additional prefix Ratchavoraviharn in its official name, indicating its rank. The temple is one of the oldest in Bangkok, it was founded during the period of prosperity of the kingdom of Ayutthaya.
The story of Wat Ratcha Orasaram also tells the story of the country's life. The original name of the temple was Wat Chom Thong, then King Rama II renamed it Ratcha Orot, which means “restored by the son of the king,” who was later crowned by Rama III. The current name of the temple is a linguistic variation of the original name.
Legend has it that the crown prince went to war with the Burmese army, capturing Thai territories, before the start of an important battle, he and his warriors stopped for the night at Wat Ratcha Orasaram, where the abbot performed a special rite of blessing. The prince promised that if he and his army win - he will return and carry out work on the reconstruction of the temple, the prince kept his word.
The architecture of the temple is designed in the so-called royal style: both Thai and Chinese influences are felt in it. Wat Ratcha Orasaram was the first in Thailand to be built without typical Thai decorations on the roofs of the viharna (main building) and ubosot (monastic ceremony hall).
The temple contains ancient records of Thai herbal medicine recipes, which are an important artifact for the country's modern doctors. To this day, 50 records have survived, carved in marble slabs, out of 92 that existed earlier.
