Wat Phra Kaeo
Wat
phra Kaeo, the official name of Wat Phra Si Rattanasatsadaram
or The temple of the Emerald Buddha, adjoins the Grand Palace,
on common ground which was consecrated in 1782, the first year
of Bangkok rule. The 945,000 square-metre compound encompasses
over 100 buildings that represent 200 years of royal history
and architectural experimentation. Most of the architecture can
be classified as Bangkok or Rattanakosin style.
Wat
Pho
Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon,
the oldest and largest wat in Bangkok, was built in the 16th
century during the Ayutthaya period and then almost completely
rebuilt in 1781 by King Rama I. It features the huge reclining
Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand
and was the earliest centre for public education.
Wat
Benchamabophit
This Wat is made of write Carrana
marble so hence its tourist name, Marble Temple. The Wat, the
most recent of royal Wats, was built at the turn of the century
under King Rama V. The largest Bot, in the compound, is a prime
example of modern Thai architecture. The courtyard behind the
Bot exhibits 53 Buddha images (33 originals and 20 copies), representing
famous images and styles from all over Asia, Thailand and other
Buddhist countries. It is an excellent place to watch religious
festivals and moonlit processions. Unlike most other temples,
monks don't go out seeking alms but are instead visited by merit-makers
between 06:00 and 07:00 hours.
Wat
Saket & Golden Mountain
Wat Saket is an undistinguished
temple, except for the Golden Mountain or Phu Khao Thong on the West side of the Golden
Mountain, puts everything back in perspective and offers views
over Rattanakosin Island that are simply stunning. The artificial
hill was created when a large Chedi under construction by King
Rama III collapsed because the soft soil beneath would not support
it. The resulting mud-and-brick hill was left to sprout weeds
until King Rama IV built a small Chedi on its crest. King Rama
V later added to the structure and housed a Buddha relic from
India in the Chedi. The concrete walls were added during World
War II to prevent the hill from eroding. Every November a large
festival, held on the ground of Wat Saket, includes a candlelight
procession up the Golden Mountain.
Wat
Ratchanatda
Across Mahachai road
from Wat Saket is Wat Ratchanatda. This temple dates from the mid 19th century. Built under
King RamIII's reign, it is an unusual specimen, possibly influenced
by Burmese models. The Wat has a well-known market selling Buddhist
amulets or magic charms in all sizes, shapes and styles.The amulets
not only feature images of the Buddha, but also famous Thai monks
and Indian deities. Full Buddha images are also on sale. In Thai,
Buddhas or Phra Phim are never "bought" or "sold",
they are "rented". The images are believed to protect
the wearer from physical harm, though some only act as "love
charms". Amulets that are considered to be particularly
powerful tend to cost thousands of baht and Wat Ratchanadda is
an expensive place to purchase a charm, but a good place to look
around.
Wat
Bowonniwet
Wat Bowonniwet is the
national headquarters for the Thammayut monastic sect, the minority
sect Mahanikai Buddhism. King Mongkut, founder of the Thammayuts,
began a royal tradition by residing here as a monk and was in
fact, the abbot of this Wat for several years. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, as well
as several other males in the royal family, have temporarily
ordained as monks here. The temple was founded in 1826, when
it was known as Wat Mai.
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