Thailand is known as a country of spirituality and a visit to one of Bangkok’s temples is a must on any trip to the city.
Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Na Phralan, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok
Wat Phra Kaew (officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is situated in the grounds of the Grand Palace, in the heart of the Old City district of Bangkok.
The temple was constructed during the 18th century in order to house the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which is carved from a single piece of jade and depicts Buddha in the meditation position. The statue, though tiny, is extremely significant to the Thai people and, as a result, Wat Phra Kaew is considered to be the most important temple in Bangkok.
The Emerald Buddha is housed in the “ubosot”, or “ordination hall”, the temple’s main building. It’s kept within a glass case on a platform and the only person permitted to touch it is the King of Thailand, who changes the cloak around the Buddha three times each year in a ceremony believed to bring good fortune to Thailand. During the summer season, the Buddha wears a gold cloak encrusted with diamonds; during the winter, a solid gold cloak; and during the rainy season, a gilded monk’s robe.
The entire temple is ornately decorated and other things to look out for during your visit include murals depicting scenes from Buddha’s life and the huge “Yaksa Tavarnbal” (“Gate-Keeping Giants”), which guard the entrances to the temple’s balcony.
Wat Phra Kaew’s compound also includes two important libraries, the Royal Pantheon (which consists of statues of the first seven Kings of the Chakri Dynasty), a model of Angkor Wat (the Cambodian temple), and Phra Si Rattana Chedi, a stupa (mound-like structure) containing Buddhist relics.
You can take a guided or self-guided tour of Wat Phra Kaew and combine your visit with a trip to the adjoining Grand Palace, which is one of Bangkok’s most famous and important sites.
Travelling to Bangkok is easy and many airlines, including Etihad Airways, fly to Bangkok International Airport from London and other major destinations.
Image: Aimaimyi
Tags: Bangok temples, Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pha Kaew, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram
