Wat Samuhapradittharam in Amphoe Sao Hai was built during the reign of King Rama III by Chao Phraya Nikon Boding Mahintharakallayanamit as an offering to his mother.

 

 

 

 

It is believed that the temple was elevated to the status of a royal temple when it was completed during the reign of King Rama IV, who named the temple “Wat Samuhapradittharam”. Inside the temple are important religious objects, including the main Buddha image in the Man Wichai posture from the Sukhothai period. This is installed in the consecrated assembly hall, an octagonal pagoda with steps on 4 sides and wall murals inside the hall reflecting the society, local culture and lifestyle of the ancient Thais.

 

 

 

The wall murals depict the "The Bun Salak Phat Ceremony" which is now called “Than Kuai Salak” or “Tham Bun Salak.” There are two ways to perform this ceremony, picking notes or picking numbers. Picking notes is an old method performed by writing the offering statement and the name of the merit maker on hard banana or palm leaves. All the notes are combined in a pile in the consecrated assembly hall or in the chapel and novice monks will pick notes by a set number.

The remaining notes will be donated to Lord Buddha and locals will then give their offerings according their notes. When monks finish giving their blessings, the notes are taken by each person to be burnt and locals dedicate merit to the deceased, signalling the end of the ceremony.

Getting There:
From Saraburi city via Pichaironnarong Songkram Rd (road no.3041), at the junction go straight ahead and continue about 5 km to the next traffic junction. At this junction, turn right before crossing the Pasak River Bridge, then turn right to Wat Samuhapradittharam.