The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)
Prince Narisaranuwatiwongse built Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple, at the
turn of the century from white Carrara marble. The main Buddha image, a copy of
Phitsanulok's Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, contains the ashes of King Rama V. The
temple gallery exhibits 53 Buddha images representing the various iconographic
styles from around the country. Early morning is a good time to visit the
Marble Temple when the Buddhist monks are chanting inside the chapel. The monks
receive alms at the temple between 6.00 and 7.00 am instead of the usual
practice of going out to receive alms.
Located on the corner of Si Ayutthaya and Rama V Roads near Chitralada Palace,
the Marble Temple is open until 5.00 pm with a 10 baht admission charge.
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