Once a year, the over 200-year-old Maha Uttham Chapel at Bang Khaem Temple in Nakhon Pathom opens for devotees to pay respects to the principal Buddha image for blessings and to seek luck, with lucky numbers revealed for the 16 Apr 2026 lottery draw.
Reporters described the atmosphere at Bang Khaem Temple, Bang Khaem Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Pathom District, yesterday (7 Apr 2026). Ms. Suwan Mangnoi, head of the Bang Khaem Subdistrict Administrative Organization, along with people from all over gathered for the annual opening ceremony to pay homage to Luang Pho Yai, the principal Buddha image enshrined inside the Maha Uttham Chapel, a historic chapel over 200 years old built during the time of Luang Pho Yiw, a renowned monk and former abbot. This is one of Nakhon Pathom province’s major annual events held from 7 to 9 April 2026.
At this event, many devotees and lottery hopefuls came to pay respects to Luang Pho Yai enshrined within the Maha Uttham Chapel. The organizing committee holds this event once a year. The Maha Uttham Chapel is a single-story, windowless old chapel with only one entrance and exit. The Subdistrict Administrative Organization and local believers have preserved it as one of the few remaining ancient chapels in Nakhon Pathom.
Ms. Surin, 50, a buffalo farming business owner from Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom, who came to pay respects to Luang Pho Yai at Bang Khaem Temple, shared that every year she visits to worship the sacred objects of Bang Khaem Temple, which she deeply respects. Previously, she had come to pray for success in her buffalo farming business and received what she asked for, having performed a major vow fulfillment. This year, upon learning of the temple event and the opening of the historic chapel for visitors, she came to pay homage by applying gold leaf to Luang Pho Yai and to admire the chapel.
During her visit, she took the opportunity to draw lucky numbers inside the chapel by dipping her hand into a golden jar. She obtained the number 086, which she plans to use for the lottery on 16 April 2026, hoping to win a substantial prize and return to make merit at the temple.
Bang Khaem Temple is an ancient temple in Nakhon Pathom province, featuring the Maha Uttham Chapel which is over 200 years old. Built during the Ayutthaya period, it is a single-story, traditional chapel without windows and with only one entrance. According to history, warriors about to go to battle would perform ceremonies inside the chapel for spiritual empowerment, believed to grant invulnerability. It was also a site for consecrating sacred objects for many temples during the era of Luang Pho Ta of Wat Phaniang Taek and other famous monks of Nakhon Pathom. The chapel has since been closed due to cracks forming in its bricks and mortar, with a new large ordination hall constructed in front.
During the annual event, the chapel is opened for visitors to view and pay respects for good fortune. The Fine Arts Department has surveyed and recorded it as a historic chapel over 200 years old. Even the principal Buddha image, Luang Pho Yai, is made from wood and cast with cement without steel reinforcement; parts of the cement have cracked, revealing the interior. The statue has been restored while preserving its original form. Inside the chapel is also a replica of the Buddha’s footprint for public worship.