Wat Mahathat, Bangkok

Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara ( _th. วัดมหาธาตุยุวราชรังสฤษฎิ์ราชวรมหาวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the 6 royal temples of the highest class ( _th. พระอารามหลวง ชั้นเอก ชนิดราชวรมหาวิหาร).

Built during Ayutthaya period, the temple was then known as Wat Salak. Soon after Bangkok was established as the capital of Siam, the temple became strategically situated in between the newly-built Grand Palace and Front Palace (residence of the vice-king). As a result, the temple was used for royal ceremonies and funerals.

Throughout the past two centuries, the temple has been renovated and elevated in status by many Thai kings and royalties. It became the Wat Mahathat of Bangkok in 1803 and was given its current name in 1996.

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand's oldest higher education institute for Buddhist monks, is located within the temple.

External links

* [http://www.dhammathai.org/watthai/bangkok/eng/watmahathat_e.php Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Dhammathai)]
* [http://www.bangkoktourist.com/thai_places_wat_mahathat_yuwaratrangsit.php Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Bangkok Tourist)]