History

Wat Yanasangvararam, a Buddhist monastery under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is situated in Huay Yai Sub-district, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of the Thai Sangha, initiated and oversaw the construction of this monastery which subsequently received the name of ‘Yanasangvararam’ after the ecclesiastic title of the Supreme Patriarch.Wat Yanasangvararam is situated in an area of 58.64 hectares. The monastery’s initial 16.07 hectares plot of land was donated by Dr. Kajorn and Khunying Nithiwadee Ontrakarn in 1976. Khunying Nithiwadee Ontrakarn and her family later donated another 16 hectares of land to the monastery. Additional lands in the surrounding areas were further acquired by members of the construction committee and devout followers of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara to expand the monastery to its current size. Also attached to the monastery are another 400 hectares plots of land in the monastery’s vicinity that belong to the royal-initiated and royal development projects.

Architecture

The Nak Lennam Nanachat (International Naga) Pavilions
     The Nak or Mangkorn Lennam Nanachart (International Naga or dragon) Pavilions are located at the entrance to Wat Yanasangvararam, on the bank of the Klong Ban Amphoe water reservoir. The pavilions were built in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his 5th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.      There are currently eight pavilions: Thailand’s Central Thai Pavilion, Lanna (Northern) Thai Pavilion and Isan (Northeastern) Thai Pavilion; Singapore’s Jeen Nok and Jeen Nai Pavilions; Japan’s Japanese Pavilion; India’s Indian Pavilion; and Switzerland’s Farang (Westerner) Pavilion. Pavilions of the four guest countries were granted financial support by those countries for their designing and construction in the distinctive architectural style of each country.
Lord Virulhaka Maharaja Buddha Pandit Shrine
     The shrine is situated in the forest park across the Prince Father and Princess Mother Memorial Garden.It houses a sculpture of Lord Virulhaka Maharaja Buddha Pandit, who was highly revered by the land donors and benefactors of the monastery construction as the benevolent force behind the success of the project. The Devalai or shrine and the park are dedicated as his abode where visitors and participants in Dharma practice can come to pay their homage and present offerings.      Designed by M.R. Mitrarun Kasemsri, the Shrine is surrounded by lush gardens that stretch from the Park to the pond’s edge. The name ‘Jaturangsee Forest Park’ means the park where the four haloed keepers of the world or Jatulokaban and their entourages reside.      Lord Virulhaka Maharaja is one of the Jatu Maha Rachika, divine keepers of the four cardinal points, which comprise Thao Kuvera, generally known as Thao Vessuvan, keeper of the North and ruler of the Yaksas (giants); Thao Thatarot, keeper of the East and ruler of the Gandharvas, a type of heavenly beings; Lord Virulhaka Maharaja, keeper of the South and ruler of the Kumphan or giants; and Thao Viroopak, guardian of the West and ruler of the Nagas (great serpents).
Phra Pokklao Ariyakhet
     This monument was built as a merit-making homage to His Majesty King Prachadhipok (Rama VII), whose reign saw democracy established in Thailand. At the entrance to the monument are the busts of His Majesty King Prachadhipok as a layman and a monk. A life-size statue, casted from dark smoked bronze, of His Majesty King Prachadhipok seated on a throne, is at the innermost section of the monument.
Ariyakarn
     This building, designed by Khun Sanit and Khun Preeya Chimchom, is situated to the left of Phra Pokklao Ariyakhet. In the middle of the building’s main room is a Buddha image, flanked on both sides by fiberglass figures of Thailand’s 22 holy monks and 2 laywomen of great eminence.      

Tram Route Map