The Evolution of name “Phra vihara” (Noi): The Dynamic and Significance of Building Phra Vihara (Noi) on Phranakhon Khiri

Abstract

Phra vihara (Noi) is the type of the main vihara, located in front of the Phra Sutthasela Chedi on the eastern peak of Khao Maha Sawan, in the Buddhist area of Phranakhon Khiri Palace, built in the reign of King Rama 4. Inside Phra vihara (Noi) is a marble Buddha statue. During the reign of King Rama 4, this building didn’t have an official name but it was known as the royal temple of the palace. Until the reign of King Rama 6, the eastern peak was called “Wat Phra Kaew Noi” which was believed to replicate the royal temple in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. When the Fine Arts Department collected information from ancient monuments in Petchaburi Province, they recorded the Phra vihara (Noi) as the ordination hall of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. However, the results of historical research by the Fine Arts department demonstrate that Phra vihara (Noi) is similar to Phra Phuttarattanasatan, a building located in the Grand Palace more so than Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram.