It is a second-class royal temple under the Woramahawihan class. It is considered a priceless temple of Thon Buri and was constructed during the reign of King Rama III on the bank of the Chao Phraya River at the mouth of Khlong Bangkok Yai. Initially, Chao Phraya Nikhon Bodin (To Kalayanamit) donated his house and land to King Rama III and bought additional land nearby to build a temple in 1825. The King bestowed the name Wat Kalayanamit. Later, the King built and bestowed both the royal Wihan and the principal image for the royal Wihan, which is Phra Phuttha Trai Rattananayok (Luangpho To) that is highly evered, especially among the Chinese called Sam Po Hut Kong or Sam Pho Kong. It is a stucco Buddha image in the subduing Mara posture, which the lap width is 10 metres and sok khuep and height of 14 metres. It is located in the large wihan in the centre of the temple. In the middle between the small wihan and the Ubosot in front of the royal wihan is a newly built bell tower that has the largest giant bell in Thailand. Inside the Ubosot, which is smaller than the Wihan, is enshrined a Buddha image in the Palilai posture. King Rama III created it as the only temple in Thailand that has the principal Buddha image in the Palilai posture. There are also murals inside that display the life of the Buddha and the way of life of the people during the reign of King Rama III. There is also the Ho Phra Tham Monthian Thaloeng Phrakiat (Buddhist library) where Pali Buddhist scriptures of the reign of King Rama IV the Great have been kept as well. Open daily 07.00 – 17.00 hrs.
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