Lucky BOBI: Thai Buddha Amulets: 【Thai Temples】Wat Anongkharam

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Wat Anongkharam Worawihan (Thai: วัดอนงคารามวรวิหาร) is a 2nd-class royal temple of "Worawihan" grade. It was built during the early Rattanakosin period in 2393 BE (AD 1850) and dedicated to King Rama III. The temple was originally named Wat Noi Khamthaem after its founder Than Phuying Noi, wife of a noble Somdet Chao Phraya Borommaha Phichaiyat (That Bunnag) who is known as the person who restored tne nearby Wat Phitchaya Yatikaram Worawihan. The temple was later renamed Wat Anongkharam by King Rama IV.

The ubosot (ordination hall) is a Thai-style cement building with ceremic-tile roofs. The "Chofa" (Thai: ช่อฟ้า, gable apex) is Garuda-head-shaped, and the "Bairaka" (Thai: ใบระกา, ridges on the sloping edges of a gable) represents the fin on the back of Naga. Patterns on the "Na Ban" (Thai: หน้าบัน, pediment) and the windows are gold-leadfed.

The Sukhothai-style principle Buddha image "Phra Buddha Chunalak" (Thai: พระพุทธจุลนาค) is brass-made and gold-leafed. The Buddha image, width between knees is 2.95m and height 3.4m, sits in "Subduing Mara" posture (Thai: ปางมารวิชัย, "Pang Man Wichai"). The image was brought from Sukhothai Province. In 2492 BE (AD 1949), a woman millionair donated the umbrella and statues of Sariputta and Moggallana, two chief disciples of Buddha. The name "Phra Buddha Chunalak" was given by the former abbot Somdej Phra Buddhacharn Buddhasoramahatera.

The smaller sitting-meditation Buddha image in front of Phra Buddha Chunalak is "Phra Buddha Mangkhalo" (Thai: พระพุทธมังคโล). The metal-polished image, width between knees 1.15m and height 1.20m, is a copy of the principle Buddha image of Wat Nangnong Worawiharn (Thai: วัดนางนองวรวิหาร), Bangkok. Made in 2481 BE (AD 1938), the Buddha image was presented to the former abbot Somdej Phra Buddhacharn Buddhasoramahatera.

The guru monk Luang Pu Thab, and the Buddha amulets "Phra Pang Sonha Pim Yai" made by him, are both well-known.