Today, I would like to introduce to you
a famous Thai temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I visited the temple with one of my Thai friends, who is a pious Buddhist.
This temple is located at Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Its official name is Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple.
In 1956, Phra Kru Palat Vieng, a veteran member of the Sangha
In 1956, Phra Kru Palat Vieng, a veteran member of the Sangha
and a resident of Kuala Lumpur initiated the idea of building a Thai Buddhist Temple
close to the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur.
(Text adapted from wikipedia)
Royal Wat Chetawan is a famous Buddhist Thai temple complex in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
After two acres of land was allocated by the Selangor State Government, an adjacent piece of land measuring two and half acres was acquired through donations collected from well-wishers, and also from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
After two acres of land was allocated by the Selangor State Government, an adjacent piece of land measuring two and half acres was acquired through donations collected from well-wishers, and also from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
The Government of Malaya also rallied to the good cause by giving a grant through the Prime Minister, Yang Berhormat Mulia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
As the planned structure was to reflect the finest of Thai Temple architecture,
the Fine Arts Department of Thailand in Bangkok was
commissioned to draw up the architectural plans
and to oversee the construction of the Temple building.
commissioned to draw up the architectural plans
and to oversee the construction of the Temple building.
With a combined workforce of local builders and skilled craftsmen from Thailand,
the main shrine hall or Vihara was completed in 1962.
the main shrine hall or Vihara was completed in 1962.
(They say, if you rub the belly of the statue of Buddha, you are blessed.)
The structure, heavily gilded in gold leaves,intricately decorated with multi-coloured glass tiles, and crowned with a multi tiered roof trimmed with chor fahs,
represented the most stunning Thai temple architecture in the Klang Valley.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand granted Royal Consent for His Majesty’s Royal Insignia to be mounted on the front gable of the building and also donated the main shrine Buddha image named Phra Buddha Thammeen, a rare honour that reflected
His Majesty’s special consideration and compassion towards Wat Chetawan.
Today Wat Chetawan is one of the few royal sponsored temples outside Thailand,
and stands complete as a temple complex with the distinctive structures
such as the Sima, the Dhammasala, the Bell Tower,
the Monks’ Quarter, the Danasala and the Mandapa.
(When the Buddhist laymen bring food to the temple,
it seemed that the monks eat the food first, and after that, the laymen eat.)
Address: No. 24, Jalan Pantai, Off Jalan Gasing,
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
GPS Coordinates: N 03 06.156′ E 101 39.088′
Tel: +603-79552443, +603-79572255
Visiting hours: 7am to 9:30pm daily
