Wat Intharawihaan (วัดอินทรวิหาร)

Thai. ‘Indra Vihara Temple’. Name of a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, which contains a 32-meter high standing Buddha image (fig.), known as Luang Pho Toh (หลวงพ่อโต). It was commissioned by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century and was the last building project of the highly revered monk Somdet Phra Phutthajaan (fig.), who is commonly referred to as Luang Poo Toh (fig.). The Buddha image's topknot contains a relic of the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka, the reason why it was actually built, while its large feet serve as an altar for offerings (fig.), where devotees visiting this temple pray and put flowers and garlands on the large toes. The temple itself dates from the beginning of the Ayutthaya Period and was formerly called Wat Rai Prik (วัดไร่พริก), suggesting that it is built in what used to be a field where chili peppers where once cultivated. See MAP. 回