Somdej “Pow” Amulets – Wat Intharaviharn, BE 2495 (1952 CE)

Somdej “Pow” Amulets – Wat Intharaviharn, BE 2495 (1952 CE)

Somdej “Pow” Amulets – Wat Intharaviharn, BE 2495 (1952 CE)

In 2495 BE (1952 CE), Police General Phao Sriyanond, then Director-General of the Royal Thai Police under the government of Field Marshal Phibun Songkhram, sponsored the creation of the Somdej “Pow” amulets at Wat Intharaviharn, Bangkok. He appointed Police Major General Nueang Akhubutr to lead the project.

The aim was to raise funds for the construction of the new preaching hall (Sala Kan Parian) at Wat Intharaviharn, the temple famous for its towering image of Somdej Prah Putthajan Toh (Arjan Toh). A total of 84,000 amulets were commissioned and distributed to devotees for support.

Consecration Ceremonies

Two major consecrations were held:

  1. 22 October 2495 BE – First blessing by 15 highly respected monks, renowned for their magical knowledge and spiritual power.

  2. 5 November 2495 BE – Second all-night Puttapisek ceremony involving 39 great masters.

The ceremonies featured the use of a special ivory-inlaid preaching chair (Thammasat Muk) to symbolically invite the spirit of Somdej Prah Putthajan Toh (Arjan Toh) Phrommarangsi to preside over the consecration.

Materials (Sacred Powders)

The sacred mixture included:

  • Original powders from Somdej Prah Putthajan Toh (Arjan Toh) – fragments of damaged Somdej amulets preserved at Wat Intharaviharn.

  • Filing dust from Buddha statues cast at Wat Suthat in BE 2485.

  • Sacred powders from Luang Phor Derm (Nakhon Sawan).

  • Powders and relics from many temples and teachers across Thailand.

  • Powders kept by Luang Phu Phu, Wat Intharaviharn.

These were combined into a dense, fine white material, slightly yellowish from oil content, distinct from Wat Rakang or Bang Khun Phrom texture.

Designs (Molds)

Most pieces followed large Somdej designs, often triangular or chedi-style, with notable subtypes:

  • Somdej triangular mold (rare).

  • Og Rong (hollow chest) with long ears (Bai Sri style).

  • Somdej with deep, thick impressions and “mirror frame” borders, similar to Wat Kaes Chaiyo designs.

Powers and Experiences

  • Protective Power: After consecration, senior officials reportedly tested the amulets by gunfire—bullets could not penetrate, cementing their reputation for Kong Grapan Chadtri (invulnerability).

  • Maha Ud (Gunproof, imperviousness).

  • Metta Maha Niyom: Devotees experienced charisma, favor, and smoother dealings in life.

  • Klaew Klaad: Evasion from dangers and accidents.

  • General Blessings: As with Somdej Bang Khun Phrom, these carry the classic aura of fortune, stability, and sacred protection.

Famous Monks in the Consecrations

First Ceremony – 22 October 2495 BE (15 Monks):

  • Phra Thep Weti, Wat Sam Phraya

  • Phra Phawanakosol Thera, Wat Paknam (Luang Phor Sodh)

  • Phra Rachamoli, Wat Rakang

  • Phra Phawanawikrom, Wat Rakang

  • Phra Sri Somphot, Wat Suthat

  • Phra Ajahn Chaeng, Wat Bang Phang

  • Phra Khru Vinai Thon, Wat Samphanthawong

  • Phra Khru Soraphanya Prakas, Wat Prot Ket

  • Phra Ajahn Phli, Wat Suan Phlu

  • Phra Khru Akhom Sunthon, Wat Suthat

  • Phra Palad Pleng, Wat Kalayanamit

  • Phra Bidika Banyat, Wat Suthat

  • Phra Khru Intharasonchar, Wat Intharaviharn

  • Phra Khru Mongkol Wijit, Wat Anongkharam (in place of Somdej Phra Phutthachan Nawm)

Second Ceremony – 5 November 2495 BE (39 Monks, all-night chanting):

  • Luang Phor Sodh, Wat Paknam

  • Luang Pu Pueak, Wat King Kaew

  • Luang Pu Rian, Wat Nong Bua, Kanchanaburi

  • Luang Phor Chuang, Wat Bang Praek Tai, Nonthaburi

  • Luang Phor Rung, Wat Tha Krabue

  • Luang Phor Ha, Wat Don Kaidee, Samut Sakhon

  • Phra Palad Tangkuay, Wat Pradoochimplee, Bangkok

  • Luang Phor Chong, Wat Na Tang Nok

  • Luang Phor Nor, Wat Klang Taluay

  • Luang Phor Samnieng, Wat Weluwanaram, Nakhon Pathom

  • Luang Phor Chaeng, Wat Bang Phang

  • Luang Pu Nak, Wat Rakang

(And many others across the ceremonies).

Collector’s Notes

  • First released at 10 Baht each in 1952.

  • Gained immediate reputation for invulnerability and strong experiences among wearers.

  • Highly sought after today, but reproductions and fakes exist—study and authentication is crucial.

  • Known as a “sleeper Somdej,” offering comparable power and history to Bang Khun Phrom at a fraction of the cost.

✅ In short: The Somdej “Pow” (2495) from Wat Intharaviharn stands as one of the great post-war Somdej series, empowered by the most elite monks of the era, with proven protective experiences and sacred materials directly tied to Somdej Prah Putthajan Toh (Arjan Toh).

 

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