The present monument, is the realisation of the wish of King Mongkut, Rama IV, who, as a prince had been several times on pilgrimage to the stupa as a monk. At that time the stupa had fallen into decay, so the prince resolved to restore it. When he acceded to the throne, he therefore instructed its restoration by building an enormous chedi as a protective cover of the existing one. This proved a difficult task - the first attempt collapsed in bad weather. However, in due course this was achieved and in 1870, the spire was raised during the reign of his successor, King Chulalongkorn.