Golden Mountain (Phu Khao Thong)

Phu Khao Thong (“Golden Mountain”, ภูเขาทอง) is a steep artificial hill inside the Wat Saket connection. Rama I's grandson, King Rama III (1788–1851), decided to build a chedi of enormous dimensions inside Wat Saket, but the chedi collapsed during construction because the soft soil of Bangkok could not carry the weight. Over the next few decades, the abandoned mud and brick structure took the form of a natural hill and became overgrown with weeds. The locals called it phu khao (ภูเขา), as if it were a natural feature. During the reign of King Rama IV, the construction of a small chedi began on the hill. It was completed early by his son, King Rama V (1853–1910). A relic of Buddha was brought from Sri Lanka and placed in the chedi. The surrounding concrete walls were added in the 1940s to prevent the hill from eroding. The modern Wat Saket was built in the early 20th century of Carrara marble. An annual festival is held at Wat Saket every November with a candlelight procession up Phu Khao Thong to the chedi, along with a long red cloak wrapped around the chedi, similar to the "Hae Pha Khuen That" (แห่ ผ้า ขึ้น festival) festival of the Wat Phra Mahathat, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Devotees write their names and names of family members on the mantle and pray that their prayers be heard. This festival has been held since the reign of King Rama V. I revisited the temple on December 1, 2022.

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