Golden Buddha (statue)

The Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon (พระพุทธมหาสุวรรณปฏิมากร), is a gold Maravijaya Attitude seated Buddha statue located in Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan (Temple of the Golden Buddha) in Bangkok, Thailand. It is notable for being one of the largest solid gold Buddha statues in the world, with estimates putting its weight at approximately 5.5 tons (5,500 kilograms).

The statue's history is shrouded in some mystery. It is believed to have been cast sometime between the 13th and 14th centuries, during the Sukhothai period. To conceal it from Burmese invaders, it was covered in plaster and colored glass to appear as an ordinary stucco Buddha. This camouflage was effective, and the statue remained relatively unknown for centuries.

In 1954, the statue was being moved to its current location at Wat Traimit. While being lifted by a crane, the ropes broke, and the statue fell, cracking the plaster casing. During the night, some of the plaster chipped off, revealing the glittering gold beneath. Over time, all of the plaster was carefully removed, revealing the solid gold Buddha we see today.

The gold is estimated to be approximately 18 karat, with varying degrees of purity in different sections of the statue. A portion of the plaster casing has been preserved and is displayed at the temple. The discovery of the Golden Buddha is considered by some to be a miracle and a testament to the resilience of Thai Buddhism. It is a major pilgrimage site and a significant cultural icon of Thailand.