Wat Boromniwas
( Wat Borom ) is near the Bo Bae Market. It was called originally
Wat Nok. King Rama IV ordered the construction of this temple while
he was still a monk. It was intended to be a forest temple ( Aranyawasee
) companion to Wat Bowornniwet Vihara, which was intended to be
the community temple ( Khamawasee ). King Rama V ordered the temple
to be renovated and renamed it Wat Boromniwas.
Of importance is the Phra Tosapholayarn,
a Buddha image in the marn vichai pose that is installed as the
presiding image in the phra ubosot. In the phra ubosot there are
unusual murals that were painted by Khrua In Khong, the leading
artist of the reign, depicting landscapes and people drawn in the
Western style, similar to those found at Wat Bowornniwet Vihara.
Between the windows there are scenes depicting activities of Buddhist
laymen and monk, such as the ordination ceremony, presentation of
robes for the monkhood, observing the precepts during Buddhist Lent,
the Loy Krathong festival, Ka1pxa robe presentation and offer picked-up
robed, and making merit on the feasts of Magha Puja and Visakha
Puja. Above the windows there are scenes in which the people are
all Europeans and include scenes of a train and stargazing with
a telescope.
Also of interest are the monks' residences
and the entrance arch, which are in the European style, the work
of craftsmen in the reign of King Rama V.
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