The old ordination hall. Phra Mu Tao (center) with two minor other chedi. Wat Chomphuwek ( th, วัดชมภูเวก, ; also spelled: Wat Chumpoo Wek) is a civil Thai Buddhist temple in Mahā Nikāya sect, located on Soi Nonthaburi 33, Sanam Bin Nam Road, Tambon Tha Sai,

Amphoe Mueang Nonthaburi Mueang Nonthaburi ( th, เมืองนนทบุรี, , ) is the capital district ('' amphoe mueang'') of Nonthaburi province in Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is ...

, Nonthaburi Province,

central Thailand Central Thailand (Central plain) or more specifically Siam (also known as Suvarnabhumi and Dvaravati) is one of the regions of Thailand, covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It is separated from northeast Thailand (Isan) by ...

. It is considered one of the oldest and most prominent temples in Nonthaburi, that it is over 350 years old as well as the murals and architectures are considered very beautiful.

History

Wat Chomphuwek is a monastery that was believed to have been built by a

Mon Mon, MON or Mon. may refer to: Places * Mon State, a subdivision of Myanmar * Mon, India, a town in Nagaland * Mon district, Nagaland * Mon, Raebareli, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India * Mon, Switzerland, a village in the Canton of Grisons * An ...

monk named "Poh Phu Si Chomphu" (พ่อปู่ศรีชมภู) in the late

Ayutthaya period The Ayutthaya Kingdom (; th, อยุธยา, , IAST: or , ) was a Siamese kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand. The Ayutthaya Kingdom is conside ...

corresponding to the reign of King

Narai King Narai the Great ( th, สมเด็จพระนารายณ์มหาราช, , ) or Ramathibodi III ( th, รามาธิบดีที่ ๓ ) was the 27th monarch of Ayutthaya Kingdom, the 4th and last monarch of the Pr ...

the Great around the year 1682. Originally, it was called "Wat Chomphuwiwek" (วัดชมภูวิเวก) but later people popularly called "Wat Chomphuwek" until now. Its name means ''"Lonely Temple of Chomphu"'', or may translate as ''"High Temple of Chomphu"'' because it is located on upland.

Highlights

The wall in the old

ordination hall The ordination hall is a Buddhist building specifically consecrated and designated for the performance of the Buddhist ordination ritual ('' upasampada'') and other ritual ceremonies, such as the recitation of the Patimokkha. The ordination hall ...

is decorated with mural painting describing the Ten Great Birth Stories of the Buddha. The highlight is mural painting of

Phra Mae Thorani Vasundharā or Dharaṇī is a chthonic goddess from Buddhist mythology of Theravada in Southeast Asia. Similar earth deities include Pṛthivī, Kṣiti, and Dharaṇī, Vasudhara bodhisattva in Vajrayana and Bhoomi devi and Prithvi in hind ...

(goddess of the earth according to Buddhist beliefs) twisting her hair above the entrance, which is praised to be the most beautiful Phra Mae Thorani mural in the world with Nonthaburi school. Another highlight is '' chedi'' (Buddhist pagoda) built with Mon-style called "Phra Mu Tao" (พระมุเตา), it is assumed to be constructed in year 1917. Buddha relics are believed to be found inside. The

Fine Arts Department The Fine Arts Department ( th, กรมศิลปากร, ) is a government department of Thailand, under the Ministry of Culture. Its mission is managing the country's cultural heritage. History The department was originally established ...

registered the temple as a national

ancient monument In British law, an ancient monument is an early historical structure or monument (e.g. an archaeological site) worthy of preservation and study due to archaeological or heritage interest. The '' Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 197 ...

in 1974 and is considered a learning center for the historic sites of Nonthaburi Province as well.

References

External links

* {{Nonthaburi Buddhist temples in Nonthaburi Province category: Ancient monuments in Thailand