Wat Mongkolratanaram, Thai Buddhist temple in Berkeley, United States
Wat Mongkolratanaram is a Thai Buddhist temple housed in a Victorian building at 1911 Russell Street that has been adapted with traditional Thai decorative elements and a modified entryway. Inside and outside, the space blends the original structure's features with religious artwork and altars that reflect Buddhist practice.
The temple was established in the early 1970s and underwent major renovations starting in 2001 to transform the Victorian house into a functional Buddhist worship space. This conversion solidified its role as a permanent home for Thai Buddhists in the region.
This temple serves the Thai community as a gathering space where language courses and annual celebrations like Songkran in April help keep traditions alive. The Sunday brunch draws both worshippers and neighbors who want to experience authentic Thai food and culture.
The temple welcomes visitors on Sunday mornings from 10 am to 1 pm for a brunch featuring authentic Thai dishes at different food stations. Guests can pay cash at the entrance and enjoy the meal while moving between stations at their own pace.
The temple's Sunday food market faced neighborhood opposition in 2009 but was saved by strong community backing that convinced the city's Zoning Board to allow it. This decision protected the weekly gathering as an important public tradition.
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