Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald
Buddha)
The temple is in the outer section of the Royal Enclosure
west of the Grand Palace . It was built on the orders of King Rama
I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island , and is built
as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya
. It has no resident monks.
The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani
Ratana Patimakorn or Phra Kaeo Morakot) : This is
a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna
school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD. King Rama
I brought it from Vientiane , and it is considered to be the most
important Buddha image in the country.
Model of Angkor Wat : King Rama IV
had this built by Phra Samphopphai when Cambodia was under Siamese
control. The model was recreated in plaster at the behest of King
Rama V to celebrate the first centenary of the Royal city.
Prasat Phra Thepidon : This four-square
prang originally called "Puttaprang Prasat" was built
in the reign of King Rama IV. Inside are statues of Kings Rama I-King
Rama VIII, to which the public pay their respects on Chakri Day,
April 6, every year.
Mondop :This structure stands behind
Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built in the reign of King Rama I.
Inside is a cabinet holding the Buddhist scriptures beautifully
decorated in mother-of-pearl.
Balcony : This can be compared to
the temple wall. The murals inside tell the Ramayana story in its
entirety. On the columns of the balcony are stone inscriptions of
the verses describing the murals.
Phra Sri Ratana Chedi : Built in
the style of Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya , this chedi is to the
west of the Monhop. Inside is a small chedi with relics of the Lord
Buddha.
Phra Atsada Maha Chedi : This group
of eight chedis stands in front of the temple. It was built in the
reign of King Rama I and dedicated to the heavens. Six of the group
are outside the balcony, two are inside. Each has its own name.
Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants)
: Six pairs of mythical ogres stand at each gate of the Balcony.
These are the main Giants of the Ramayana.
Hor Phra Khanthan-rat : Standing
in the estern corner of the balcony, this is where the Phra Puttakhanthan-rat
figure is enshrined. It presides over the Royal rain-making ceremony
and the ceremony of the first rice planting. Inside are paintings
by the mural artist Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn : Inside
this structure are 34 Buddha images in various positions, built
by command of King Rama III and dedicated the kings of Ayutthaya
and Thonburi.
Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn : Built
in the reign of King Rama IV, this is the location of the Buddha
image of the reigning King of the Rattanakosin Era. Inside are murals
of Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya by Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Nak : Situated behind the
temple, this traditional Thai building roofed with glazed tiles
contains the ashes of the Royal family.
How to get there
Bus Routes : 18, 28, 108, 510, 515
Opening Hours: Open to the public everyday
from 9.30 am. to 3.15 pm.
Admission Fee: Baht 100. If you have
visited The Grand Palace on the same day you will have also received
an entrance ticket to Vimanmek Palace which is valid.
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