Wat Nimmanoradi

Wat Nimmanoradi (วัดนิมมานรดี, also written as Nimma Noradi, Nimmanoradee) is a Thai Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It is a third grade royal monastery by the canals Khlong Phasi Charoen and Khlong Ratcha Montri on the border of Phasi Charoen area, just across the canal of Khlong Ratcha Montri is Bang Khae area. Therefore, this temple is often mistaken for its location in district of Bang Khae.

Its former name was Wat Bang Khae and it believed to be built during the early of Rattanakosin period around 1807. In the reign of King Rama I, Wat Bang Khae was very prosperous but later it deteriorated. In 1872 during the reign of King Rama V, the abbot Chaeng a Buddhist monk had transferred from Wat Rakhang and ruled the temple, and Khun Tan Wanochakorn (Nim) with his wife named Di who were wealthy people became the patrons and renovated the temple completely.

After the renovation the temple was renamed to Wat Nimmanoradi like today (Nimmanoradi is the name of the fifth of six heavenly realm, according to the belief in Buddhist cosmology) and received Wisungkhammasima (boundary in the temple which was given by the King) on May 13, 1879. Later, when the construction of the new ordination hall was completed, it received a new Wisungkhammasima on November 8, 1971. There is the Thai monogram of King Rama IX, "Phor Por Ror" (ภ.ป.ร.) on the gable of the new ordination hall. The dwelling for monks and Thai-style sermon hall were all built from teak wood. There is also a stūpa where the holy relic of Lord Buddha was put inside. This stūpa was built in 1974, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn came to solemnize raising Chatra (tiered umbrella) ceremony on December 7, 1980. Inside the ordination hall, there is a principal Buddha image in Māravijaya posture, made of mixed brass and gilded lacquering named Luang Pho Ket Champa Si (หลวงพ่อเกศจำปาศรี). In addition, there are also various idols of Chinese god such as Guanyin, Kātyāyana to be worshiped as well.

In the past, along Khlong Phasi Charoen and Khlong Ratcha Montri in the temple area was a very bustling community and floating market. There were many merchants rowing boats to trade here from Ban Phaeo, Samut Sakhon, Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi, etc. Until Petchkasem Road (Highway 4) was cut through the area causing the lifestyle of people to change. The market therefore eventually moved to land to become the Bang Khae Market. At one time, the Phasi Charoen District Office tried to revive the floating market to bring it back to life as in the past, namely Wat Nimmanoradee Floating Market, but it was in operation for a short time must be shut down as at present.