TEMPLES
Jump to: 1. Palaces | 2. Museums | 3. Temples | 4. Sight seeing
3.1 Wat Phra Keaw
Wat Phra Kaeo is one of the world's great sights. It serves as the royal chapel and no monks live there. Wat Phra Kaeo was built in 1782 or 217 years ago. The Emerald Buddha sits atop an 11-meter tall gilded altar, protected by a nine-tiered umbrella
The Emerald Buddha
The Ubosoth Viharn of the Gandhara Buddha Image Belfry Ho Rachapongsanusorn
Phra Pothithat Piman Ho Rachakaramanusorn Figure of a Seated Hermit The Royal Pantheon Two Gilt Stupa Phra Mondop (the Library) Phra Si Ratana Chedi Model of Angkor Wat Monument of Previous Kings Ho Phra Monthien Tham Viharn Yod Viharn Phra Nak Eight Prang (towers) Galleries
Brief History of the Emerald Buddha
The Emerald Buddha is in reality carved from a large piece of green jade. According to a reliable cronicle, in 1434 A.D. the Emerald Buddha was found in a chedi in Chiangrai in northern Thailand. Later on it was brought to Lampang province by King Samfangkaen and remained there for 32 years, until 1468 when Chiangmai had a powerful king, King Tiloka had the Emerald Buddha brought to Chiangmai.
In 1551 the king of Chiangmai, who had no son,died. One of his daughters was married to the king of Laos. She had borne one son, name Prince Chaichettha. When the king of Chiangmai died the ministers of Chiangmai invited the prince, who was fifteen, to become king and he accepted. However, when his father, the king of Laos, passed away, King Chaichettha wanted to go back to Laos. So he returned to Luang Prabang, the then
capital of Laos, taking the Emerald Buddha with him, and promised the ministers of Chiangmai to come back. But he never returned nor send back the Emerald Buddha, so the image remained in Luang Prabang for twelve years.
In 1564, King Chaichettha could not resist the Burmese army of King Bayinnuang; thus he moved his capital down to
Vientiane and the Emerald Buddha remained there for 214 years.
In 1778, during the Thonburi period, when King Rama I of Bangkok was still a general, he captured Vientiane and brought the emerald Buddha back to Thailand. With the establishment of Bangkok as the capital, the Emerald Buddha became the palladium of Thailand and has been ever since. The image was moved from Thonburi to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok on March 22, 1784.
Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the adjoining Grand Palace together form perhaps the greatest spectacle for the visitor to Bangkok. Despite the fact that the whole compound is so full of tourists you spend half the time trying to avoid getting in people's photos, it's still a pretty amazing place to visit.
It consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics, and dates back to 1782, when Bangkok was founded. When you enter the compound, you first of all see Wat Phra Kaew and the nearby attractions, and then move on to the Grand Palace afterwards.
Wat Phra Kaew itself, generally known to the Thais as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is perhaps the main attraction. This is Thailand's most important and sacred temple, so you're expected to act with due respect inside it. It houses the tiny (between 60 and 75 cm) Emerald Buddha, which is located high above the heads of the worshippers and tourists. Not much is known for certain about the statue, except that it isn't actually made of emerald but rather of green jade or jasper. Getting a good look at it is difficult as photography is forbidden inside the temple, and it's perched so high up inside it's glass box that it's difficult to really see.
It's thought to have been made in the 15th century and was the cause of several wars before ending up for good in Bangkok in 1782. The image is considered a talisman and holds tremendous significance for Thailand and the Thais. The 'robe' that it wears is changed 3 times each year by the King himself, at the start of each season: A diamond encrusted gold robe during the hot season, a solid gold robe in the cool season and a gilded monk's robe in the rainy season.There are also many other Buddha images inside the temple.
Round the interior walls are murals depicting the jataka stories. These are located according to the typical Thai conventions inside temples. The ones facing the altar depict the victory of the Buddha over the evil demon Mara, as he subdues her and achieves enlightenment. As is normal for Thai temples, shoes must be taken off before entering into the temple.
Despite it's national importance, Wat Phra Kaew is the only temple in Thailand that doesn't have any resident monks, and so is not a seat of Buddhist learning in the same way as the likes of Wat Pho and Wat Mahathat.
A cloister surrounds the temple, and depicted along here is an extensive mural of the Ramakian, the Thai version of the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. In total there are 178 sections, and although they date from the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV 1825-1850) they have since been restored on numerous occasions. The explanatory texts across from each were devised by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
Also in the compound is:
- A miniature model of the famous Cambodian temple complex Angkor Wat, made during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) when the Thai empire extended over Cambodia.
- Two libraries, built to protect copies of important Buddhist literature. The Phra Mondop library is impressive, but almost always closed to the public. If not, it's well worth looking at.
- The impressive golden Phra Si Rattana Chedi, which it's claimed (somewhat improbably) houses ashes of the Buddha.
- The Royal Pantheon, with full size statues of the first seven kings of the reigning Chakri dynasty (Rama I - Rama VII). Only open on April 6th, the anniversary of the founding of this dynasty. Surrounding this are large statues of mythical guardians (pictured right), such as the kinaree, half human-half bird and the Hindu garuda bird. It contains the scared Buddhist scriptures, the Tripitaka.
3.2 Temple of the reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
Temple of the Reclining Buddha Wat Pho (Wat Prachetuphon) The Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon in Thai) is an important landmark in Bangkok in the Rattanakosin Area. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Buddhist fine arts and the existing Thai intellect which has descended from ancient times, taken as an immortal carriers of knowledge. Movie Clip The Reclining Buddha Wat Pho was built by the people in the reign of King Petraja of Ayutthaya in 1688. It is now 313 years old. The first great restoration of this old temple was made by King Rama I of Chakri Dynastry when Bangkok was first founded by him. It took 9 years for the restoration. Later, in the reign of King Rama III, repairing and extending the main chapel called "Ubosoth" was largely done. The Reclining Buddha was built in 1832 in the reign of King Rama III. The purpose of the Reclining Buddha is to remind people to think of the Buddha's Nirvana. Wat Pho is open daily between 8.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. The admission fee is 20 baht.
3.3 Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn
Wat Arun is mostly known as a landmark of Bangkok. It consists of a tall Phra Prang (Khmer-style tower) and surrounded by four smaller Prangs. New picture (28/9/02) The most attractive structure of Wat Arun is the center 79-meter high pagoda or Phra Prang
decorated with mosaic of multi-colors Chinese porcelain. The outer four corners are Prangs which hold statues of Phra Phai (god of the wind).
The most beautiful view of Wat Arun is at sunset if viewed from the Bangkok side of the river.
Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It can be reached by Arun Amarin road on Thonburi side or by taking a ferry from the Tha Tien pier, just behind the Grand Palace. The fare for ferry crossing is 2 baht.
The Chapel (Phra Viharn). The chapel has door and window panels decorated in the intricate Thai pattern. Inside the chapel is the main Buddha image in the posture of subduing mara, cast in copper and sheathed in gold.
The famous Wat Arun (วัดอรุณ), perhaps better known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. It consists of a massive elongated prang (Khmer-style tower), and is surrounded by four smaller prangs. The prang is described by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as 104m high, while most other sources quote figures around 80-85m. It is decorated by bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China, a hallmark of the reign of King Rama III. The Wat had a brief period as host of the celebrated Emerald Buddha, which now resides in nearby Wat Phra Kaew.
The Wat really looks better from a distance than close up, and you're not missing out too much even if you only view from across the river. The grounds are fairly pleasant and peaceful though, with good murals and a main Buddha image supposedly designed by King Rama II. The mythical guardians here are also quite impressive, though very similiar to those at Wat Phra Kaew.
It is possible to walk a limited way up the (very steep) stairs of the main prang, which gives a reasonable view of the Chao Phraya river.
Despite it's name (coming from Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn), the best views and photos of Wat Arun are in the evening with the sun setting behind it. There are some restaurants on the opposite side of the river that are good for watching this, though you'd be lucky to see the image of Wat Arun that's on all the postcards - that of the red sky sunset with the sun setting directly behind the temple. Sunset is around 6pm - 7pm all year round in Bangkok.
Details
Wat Arun is a little unusual as it's really the only major tourist attraction on the Thonburi side of the river. It is open every day from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Officially, entrance to the Wat is 20B and the ferry crossing is 2B. Sometimes if you walk around the Wat grounds, you will be requested for a donation (with a book showing how everyone else gave 100B/200B), and sometimes the staff at the pier will cite some excuse and charge another 10B or so to let you through.
Other attractions fairly easy to reach from here are Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, the National Museum, Chinatown the Ko Rattanakosin area, and the Banglamphu district.
Due to it's location, by far the best and most common way to get to Wat Arun is on the river. The Tha Tien express boat pier, at the southwest corner of the Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew, is opposite Wat Arun and boats leave every few minutes. You can get to Tha Tien on the Chao Phraya River Express boats from any other pier, or take a taxi to it. Buses that go near Tha Tien are ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 62 and 91 which stop on Maharat road. There are also plenty of Thonburi canal tours that go here.
3.4 Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
Construction of Wat Benchamabophit started during the reign of King Rama V in 1900, and it was finished ten years later.The interior of the main building is magnificently decorated with cross beams of lacquer and gold. The best time to visit this temple is in the early morning when Buddhist monks are chanting inside the chapel.
The main building is open for visitors until 5.00 p.m.
3.5 Wat Ratchanaddaram
Wat Ratchanaddaram is located on Mahachai Rd. This temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846 to celebrate the King's niece who became the first queen consort of King Rama IV.
The outstanding monument of this temple is "Loha Prasat", a kind of pagoda substitutio n
which was built to represent the teaching of Lord Buddha. This is one of Bangkok's most
unusual and most interesting structures and is the only one of its kind left in the world.
Next to Wat Ratchanaddaram is the Maha Chesdabodin pavillion and plaza and the statue of King Rama III.
3.6 Wat Suthat
Wat Suthat is a large monastery covering an area of 44,980 square metres that is located right at the heart of Bangkok. The construction began during the reign of King Rama I (1807 A.D.) and it took 27 years to complete. Phra Sisakayamuni image from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai was brought to reign over the temple, and the City of Bangkok for that matter.
Wat Suthat is a focal point for many interesting architectural, sculptural, and visual highlights reflective of Buddhist theme and philosophy.
The doors and windows of the main chapel are individually carved with intricate and beautiful details. The main doorway at the front entrance was noted to be the work of King Rama II himself.
3.7 Golden Buddha Image (Wat Traimitwitthayaram)
This Sukhothai Traimit Golden Buddha Image is the largest Buddha Image in the world. The Buddha Image is in the mara conquering attitude, the typical artistic style of the days when Sukhothai was the capital of Thailand. It is made of pure gold. The image is unrivalled in beauty, measuring 12 feet 5 inches in diameter and has a height of 15 feet 9 inches from the base to the crown, and it weighs approximately 5 tons. Now more than 700 years old, it is a valuable treasure of Thailand and of Buddhism.
Originally, this Golden Buddha Image was completely covered with plaster to conceal it from the enermy then invading Thailand and was installed as the principal Buddha Image in the main temple building of Choti-naram Temple or Wat Phrayakrai, Yannawa District, Bangkok in the third reign of the Chakkri Dynasty in the Ratanakosin era.
When Chotanaram temple was deserted in about 1931, the East Asiatic Company, with official permission, extended its operations into the land area of the deserted temple. The
Ecclesiastical Commission then moved this golden Buddha image to the Traimit Witthayaram Temple where it now remains, discovering in 1955 that it was made of pure gold
3.8 Wat Ratchabophit
Wat Ratchabophit was constructed during the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.). The layout of the temple is very well-designed. An outstanding architecture is the
circular-shaped colonades at the base of the Great Pagoda.
Interior of Ubosot is well-decorated and the ceiling was created with pointed arches
and ribbed vaults similar to Gothic architectural elements. It expresses a good
combination of Thai and Western interior designs.
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