In our schools, the history of the world is taught, alas, one-sidedly, - says the traveler and researcher of the civilizations of the East Yakov Oskanov. Does everyone, for example, know that the Royal Palace and Temple Complex in Bangkok are the real Eighth Wonder of the World? After all, one gold for finishing here probably went in tons. And the precious Emerald Buddha can only be touched by the king of Thailand, and then only three times a year.
... We entered the territory temple complexcarried away by the motley stream of people ...
The entrance to the territory is guarded by giant yakshas, \u200b\u200bbut in order not to delve into the jungle of Hinduism, we will simply call them “demons”. And here I foresee your bewildered question: what does Hinduism have to do with it, after all, everyone knows that in Thailand the official religion is Buddhism ... And besides, the most, that neither is, orthodox - "Theravada", also known as Hinayana. Theravada followers themselves do not welcome the term "Hinayana", which translates as "small chariot" because it contributes to an unfavorable comparison with the "Mahayana" - "large chariot" - another major trend in Buddhism.
If you do not go into the depths of the canons, then these two directions have one cardinal difference: the Theravada followers practice Buddhism for their own individual enlightenment, while the Mahayana followers want to gain enlightenment in order to help other people also gain it and free themselves from earthly sufferings and illusions. Therefore, these two currents are called: "small and large chariots." Only one person will sit in a small one, in a large one - a lot. The word "Theravada" means "the teachings of the elders", and emphasizes the orthodoxy and primacy of the emergence of this trend in Buddhism.
But what does Hinduism have to do with it, again you ask? And besides, in ancient times it was very difficult to prevent the interpenetration of religions, and therefore Buddhism in Thailand is very strongly mixed with Hinduism, which is very widespread in Cambodia. This happened, as far as I understand, approximately in the XII-XIII centuries. AD, during the heyday of the Thai principality of Sukhothai, which, as you know, was politically dependent on the Khmer empire of Angkor. This is not the only time that religions are mixed. On the contrary, this phenomenon is very widespread and has the name "religious syncretism".
In addition to the influence of Hinduism in Buddhism in Thailand, the influence of an even more ancient, probably even primitive, phenomenon - animism is also noticeable. Thais believe in the spirituality of nature. Something similar is found in Russian culture. We also have brownies, water and gobies. Only our brownies live with us in houses, and Thais build separate houses-sanctuaries for their “brownies”, where they bring small offerings. Such mini-temples are found everywhere in Thailand. But, perhaps, enough religions, I propose to return to architecture.
So, we entered the territory of Wat Phra Kaew. Tourists translate this as "Temple of the Emerald Buddha", but I doubt the correctness of such a translation. The full name of the temple is Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. Most likely, it is it that is translated as "Temple of the Emerald Buddha." I do not know exactly how “Wat Pra Keo” is translated, it is clear that “Wat” is “temple”, “Pra” is “sacred”, and “Keo” is “jewel.” It turns out, approximately, “Temple of the Sacred Jewel”.
By the way, "wat" is not a temple, but rather a temple complex consisting of many elements. And the building itself, where the Emerald Buddha is kept, is called "ubosot" (colloquially called "bot"). This is the main hall for sacred rites. This is the main building of any temple complex. It is here that novices are ordained monks. Tourists do not get into the mess right away. First you need to go around this building on the left, where several interesting objects are located. And this detour drags on for an hour or two.
The first thing you notice is the famous chedi Phra Si Rattana. I believe this translates to "chedi of the Sacred Gem." Chedi is one of the types of stupas, religious structures intended mainly for use as a reliquary - a place where the relics of saints or some other relics are kept. Stupas are found in all countries where Buddhism is widespread. Each region has its own architectural features and the names of the stupas. Actually the word “stupa” is used in India, and in Sri Lanka, for example, such structures are called “dagoba”. Stupas symbolize the connection between the earthly and the heavenly, and therefore play an important role in the understanding of the world of Buddhists. According to legend, the first stupas appeared after the death of Buddha. His body was cremated and six pious families, one king and another brahmana claimed the right to possess his ashes. Their dispute was resolved by another authoritative brahmana named Dona, who divided the ashes into eight parts. Don himself took the vessel in which the ashes were kept.
Later, another family asked for ashes, but the rest had already dispersed, taking all the ashes with them, and therefore the late ones scooped up ashes from the funeral pyre. Further, the first stupas were erected in a total of ten - eight stupas were erected over the ashes of Buddha, one over the vessel in which the ashes were kept, and one over the ashes from the funeral pyre. Later, chedi began to be erected at the burial site of the relics of saints and righteous people.
Chedi Phra Si Rattana is perhaps the most beautiful I have seen in Thailand. It was built in the Sri Lankan style and this is no coincidence: after all, it contains a fragment of the clavicular bone of the Buddha, brought from Sri Lanka. Inside there is a round hall, which contains a small copy of the Pra Si Rattan chedi covered with black lacquer and covered with a multi-tiered ritual chatra umbrella.
Chedi was built in 1855 by order of King Rama IV Mongkut. This monarch from the Chakri dynasty was a skillful politician and with his subtle diplomatic game managed to prevent the colonization of Thailand by Europeans. Rama IV was an enlightened man, he studied European languages \u200b\u200band science. It is about him that the film "Anna and the King" was filmed, based, however, to a large extent on fiction and banned in Thailand as "defaming the image of the king." Be that as it may, but the king had broad innovative views, and therefore, to decorate the chedi Pra Si Rattana ordered a gold mosaic not just anywhere, but in Italy.
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Following the golden chedi is another beautiful building, which did not allow our mouths open with admiration to close. It is called Pra Mondop. Mondop is also a structural element of the temple complexes in Thailand. Unlike Indian and Khmer "mandapas", it is not an element of a building, but an independent structure. Usually this is a structure of a cubic or cruciform shape, with a pyramidal roof, ending with a spire. Often the roof is supported by columns. The purpose of the mondop can be different - there can be stored relics, sacred texts, or simply there is a sanctuary. In our case, Pra Mondop is a library, a place for storing sacred texts.
Opposite Phra Mondop, a model of the famous Angkor Wat was erected, which was erected in honor of the annexation of Cambodia to Siam. Then the French colonialists took these possessions, and the Angkor Wat model remained as a memory of the former greatness of the Siamese kingdom. Behind the model of this famous temple is another wonderful building - Pra Vihan Yod.
The entire interior of the temple complex is "guarded" by many sculptures to the delight of tourists taking pictures with them. In Thailand, the image of perfect lovers was rethought a little and began to depict them as half-humans, half-birds, dressed in angelic clothes, and with wings so that they could fly between the world of people and gods. The man in this sweet couple is called "Kinnon", and the woman is called the same as in India: "Kinari" ...
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Another interesting sculpture is the so-called "Chinese lion", however, it looks more like a Pekingese. According to Chinese tradition, these mythical animals guard the temples. Usually they are installed in pairs: a lion and a lioness - one on each side of the entrance and can be depicted both with open mouths and with closed ones, depending on the sacred meaning that the sculptor wanted to convey. A lion, as a rule, holds a ball with one paw - a symbol of precious Buddhist knowledge, while a lioness holds a lion cub. In English literature, such creatures are often called "Foo dogs", in Thai tradition it is "Singha".
Not far from the gallery there is a temple bell tower, which is also an integral part of any Buddhist monastery. Usually this high building with ceilings, without walls, at the top of which there is a bell. The sounds of the bell regulate the daily routine of a particular monastery, serve as signals for monks to start prayers, work and meditation.
Wat Phra Keo cannot be fully called a monastery, since it lacks "kuti" - the place of residence of monks. The monks do not really live in Wat Phra Kaew, which has the special status of the personal temple complex of the incumbent monarch and his family.
Having examined everything around, we finally decided to visit the holy of holies of the Thai kingdom - ubosot, which houses the statue of the Emerald Buddha. Shoes are not allowed there, so on a special terrace you can take off your shoes and feel with pleasure the warmth of the stones heated by the sun with your bare feet. There are most people here, and not because this building is the most beautiful (in my opinion, by the way, not the most), but because a large number of people come to pray, because there are many Chinese, Koreans, Japanese among the tourists, and even themselves Thais who came to the capital for an excursion. For them, this is a great opportunity to bow to the largest shrine in Thailand - the statue of the Emerald Buddha.
The Emerald Buddha, the nation's most revered relic and spiritual symbol, sits on a dais, clad in golden robes. There are three types of robes: summer, winter and demi-season (for the rainy season). The statue is not “dressed” by anyone, but by the monarch personally. We were lucky to find the Emerald Buddha in his winter - the most magnificent garment.
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There are several legends about how this statue appeared. One of them tells that once, somewhere at the beginning of the 15th century. AD in the distant city of Chiang Rai, lightning struck the chedi of one of the temples and destroyed it. On the ruins of the chedi, a statue was found carved from a single piece of emerald, miraculously emerging from nowhere. While this version is most suitable for a Hollywood scenario in terms of visualization and drama, I am more impressed by the story written in the mini-guide to the temple complex. It says that one day, a monk touring the monastery found that a piece broke off on one of the Buddha statues and something green was shining under it. It turned out that the statue was made of solid crystal and was covered with a layer of plaster.
The monks mistook the gem for an emerald and named the statue "The Emerald Buddha". In fact, the stone turned out to be jadeite, a mineral similar to jade. However, the tradition of calling the sculpture "Emerald Buddha" stuck.
The fate of this relic, however, deserves a separate essay. She changed her "place of residence" as a challenge sporting trophy, until, finally, the first of the kings of the Chakri dynasty won her from the Lao and brought her to Bangkok. Initially, the "Emerald Buddha" was installed in the royal temple of Wat Arun, but later a separate temple complex was built for it next to the royal palace. To be honest, the very fate of the statue did not really excite me. Looking at it, I thought of the nameless craftsman carving it out of stone. What did he think at that moment, did he know that his creation would become the main state relic, why and from whom did he hide it under a layer of plaster? Maybe he hid his masterpiece from the invaders, and he died without telling anyone about his secret?
Alas, most likely the answers to these questions will remain, it seems, in the plane of my conjectures, and the realistic story of the birth of the statue will remain a mystery. Although, why not. Should there be a place for secrets and miracles in life? It's only a little bit of a pity that the master remained unknown ...
Bangkok, the beautiful capital of Thailand, has been praised by foreign travelers and writers at all times. The Thais themselves treat it with even greater respect, calling it the City of the Gods and the Great Capital of the World.
One of the ubiquitous attractions of Thailand are its temples, and of course these beautiful structures are most concentrated in the capital city. From anywhere in Bangkok, their tiled roofs are visible in vibrant colors. There are about 400 of them in Bangkok, but their number is constantly changing in big side... Thais are very religious, over 90 percent of the population is Buddhist. Each of the temples ("wat") is unique in its own way, but each of them has a high level of use of jewelry, gold and statues.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The main temple of Thailand and the heart of Bangkok is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or in local Wat Phra Kaew. Its construction was carried out in 1782-1785, and the territory near the royal palace was chosen for its location. Nowadays, huge crowds of tourists are found in the royal palace and the temple of the Emerald Buddha every day.
In the footsteps of the jade figurine
The main attraction of this place and the whole country is the statue of the Emerald Buddha. Many legends are associated with this ancient shrine, and it is difficult to determine exactly its origin at the present time. So, according to one of the legends, it was donated by the Indian ruler Ashoka, who was the first to accept Buddhism in the region. South-East Asia... According to another legend, the statue was carved in heaven for 7 days and nights, and the king of angels lowered him to earth. Another hypothesis attributes its creation to an unknown ancient Greek master who transmitted it to Ceylon. From there she migrated to Burma, and only later settled in a neighboring country.
It is worth noting that the statue of the Emerald Buddha traveled not only in legends. During military conflicts, she was the main trophy. After staying in many neighboring countriesshe settled in thai southern city Nakhon Si Thammarat, from where she was later transported to Chiang Rai, where she found her shelter until the 15th century.
The keepers knew that the nondescript statuette kept a great history, and they treated it like a great shrine. During his stay in Chiang Rai, another interesting story... One night, lightning struck her abode, the building was damaged, and a crack appeared on the Emerald Buddha. According to legend, the monks saw an amazing picture - the gap shone with a soft emerald light.
Emerald Buddha and crown
There is another story about this event. According to this version, a golden statuette of Buddha was found in a stupa destroyed by lightning, and later, when it was already moved to Bangkok, the gold crumbled, revealing its insides. The composition of the Buddha is still not made of emerald, it is carved from a single piece of jade. But that doesn't make the 70cm statue any less valuable.
The ruler of Chiang Mai, having learned about the incident, takes the statuette to his city and places it in a separate pagoda. A little later, a ruler from Laos comes to the throne of this city, who then takes her to his home. For 215 years, the statuette was there, decorating the temples of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. The return of the relic to Siam takes place in 1778, and already in 1782 it takes its current position - in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Abode of the seated relic
The temple itself presents visitors with a rather complex vast complex surrounded by a wall. The buildings, as elsewhere, are covered in brightly colored tiles with striking orange, green and yellow colors. There are patterns and symbols of Buddhism made of glass, wood and smalt everywhere. Gilding shines brightly, everything sparkles and shimmers. Beautiful statues of garud birds and demons are everywhere in sight.
At the portico near the main building, visitors leave their shoes and move towards the entrance. There are three entrances in total. Two side aisles are open for ordinary visitors. The central entrance is intended for the royal family, who come here on special solemn days.
The entrance to the temple is protected from evil spirits by two statues of demons. Similar statues can be found near many rooms of this temple complex.
Demon watchman at the entrance to the temple
Going inside the monastery of the Emerald Buddha, you come across twilight. After the bright sun, the eyes are trying to get used to it for a long time and find, among all the bright and iridescent beauty of the interior decoration, the very main relic of Thailand. The statuette sits in the lotus position at a height of about two human height. And if in the Buddhist religion it is not accepted to be higher than the Buddha, then here this rule is easy to observe. The jade figurine is dressed in a toga of solid gold, which changes depending on the season of the year. Five crowns of gold are visible above the Buddha's head.
Buddha clothes by seasons
On either side of the Emerald Buddha, there are two glass spheres that represent the Moon and the Sun. Below are various ornate vases and bowls. There are also statues of bodhisattvas symbolizing the kings of the Chakri dynasty, which is currently ruling. Near the altar, there are two human-sized bodhisattvas. Each statue is adorned with a crown. If you look away from the Buddha's pedestal, you will notice that the building is decorated with paintings that tell us about the life of the Buddha. And once again I want to say that all this decoration shines and sparkles, giving out gold and precious stones.
And, of course, there is a Buddhist atmosphere here. People enter the building, sit in the lotus position or just kneel on the floor, freeze. Periodically, a whisper is heard, flickering candles are seen, a dense smell of incense is felt.
Video about the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the map
Temple of the Golden Buddha in Bangkok
Bangkok's next popular temple is located in the Chinese region - Sampenge. This is the Temple of the Golden Buddha or Wat Trimit, named after the huge Buddha statue located here, half made of gold. This statue has an equally entertaining story that deserves to be heard.
On the night of April 25, 1953, another lightning strikes the stone statue of Buddha. The statue weighing more than 5 tons was brought back in the 18th century from the former capital of Sukhothai. The hit caused serious damage to the statue, but the disaffected monks noticed a shine in this rift. They immediately began to clear the statue. As it turned out, a thick layer of lime hid the golden statue of Buddha for many centuries.
Whose work it was is no longer known. Probably, during the war, to shelter the golden statue from the enemy, the clever monks changed his "clothes", and in this form the statue has survived to this day. And if not for the natural elements, most likely, this secret would have been kept to this day.
Video about the Temple of the Golden Buddha
Temple of the Golden Buddha on the map
Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok
Another major temple in Bangkok is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho. In addition to abundant decorations, the temple contains many Buddha statues, textbooks on Thai massage, four stupa-tombs of the first kings of the Chakri dynasty. It was in this temple that Rama I proclaimed himself king, establishing a new dynasty. But, of course, the main attraction of this temple is the huge statue of Buddha.
The 46-meter Buddha is made of cement and brick and covered with gold plates. The giant lies on its side, its right hand propping up its head. The mother-of-pearl feet of the Buddha depict all of his features that distinguish them from an ordinary person. Buddhist theologians find as many as 107 signs in the statue itself, for example, his toes are the same length.
Buddha feet
Video about the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Temple of the Reclining Buddha on the map
Temple of Morning Dawn in Bangkok
The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun is located in the Thonburi area. It is this temple that is noticeable during a boat trip of tourists along the main artery of Bangkok - Chao Prae. The building stands out for its height - 80 meters. The tower has a style borrowed from the neighboring state of Cambodia and is covered with a mosaic of ceramic tiles.
Video about the Temple of the Dawn
Temple of Dawn on the map
Marble Temple in Bangkok
The next temple is one of the youngest in Bangkok - the Marble Temple or Wat Banchompit. It was built in the 20th century and is built almost entirely in Italian marble. The eastern pediment of the main building is adorned with an image of Vishnu on a bird guard. The wheel of the Law can be seen on the south side. To the north is the three-headed elephant Erawan. On the west side, the masters carved the text from the song by Undom
The main building is surrounded by many rooms. The complex houses the largest collection of bronze Buddha statues, collected here at the behest of King Chulalongkorn. The floor is paved with marble slabs in patterns, the walls are decorated with gold ribbons. There is also a gilded statue of Buddha, which was cast in 1901.
A park is maintained on the territory of the temple. One of the famous traditions of this temple is throwing a coin into the water in order to come back here again. But the role of a coin in the Marble Temple is played by turtles. Here you can buy a turtle, inscribe your name on its shell and release it into the water.
Marble temple on the map
Bangkok video
Bangkok's temples are unique and beautiful. Maybe they are the ones who add up at the city visitor general impression about the whole country. It really is a must see to begin to understand the soul of Thailand.
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(Wat phra kaew), or Temple of the Emerald Buddha - the main temple of Bangkok and all of Thailand, built specifically to store the most revered relic in Thailand - the statue of the Emerald Buddha.
Wat Phra Kaew is located in the historical part of Bangkok, on the island of Rattanakosin. It was here, on the site of the Bangk Makog settlement, the founder of the current ruling Chakri dynasty, King Rama I, at the end of the eighteenth century, founded a new capital, which eventually turned into modern Bangkok. To consolidate the status of the capital, it was decided to move to the new capital the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which was previously stored in the temple and which at that time was one of the most revered relics in Thailand. To store the statue next to the territory of the royal palace, the temple complex Wat Phra Kaew was built.
The main bot, the Emerald Buddha is kept here:
According to legend, the Emerald Buddha was found in the ruins of an old pagoda that had collapsed from a lightning strike in the city of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Of course, such an appearance could not but lead to the fact that the statue was declared sacred and transferred to the capital of the Lannathai kingdom - the city of Chiang Mai, where the statue was located until the capture of the city in the sixteenth century by the troops of the Lao kingdom of Lan Sang, who, leaving, took it with them to its capital - Luang Prabang. Later, the Emerald Buddha was transported to Vientiane, from where General Chakri, the future king of Rama I, took her out in the second half of the eighteenth century.
By the way, it was not emerald that was used to create the statue, but jadeite.
Wat Phra Kaew is one of the few temples in Thailand where filming is prohibited. But those who want to capture the Emerald Buddha in a photo or video can do it outside the bot:
The statue is dressed in robes of gold, which are changed personally by the king of Thailand three times a year.
There are other interesting objects on the territory of Wat Phra Kaew.
In the center of the complex, on a towering terrace, are the Prasat Phra Dhepbidon Royal Pantheon, in which there are eight statues of the kings of the Chakri dynasty, Mondop is a repository of sacred Buddhist texts written on scrolls of palm leaves, the gold-covered Phra Siratana pagoda, inside which is a Buddha bone, and a copy of the Khmer Angkor Wat, installed under King Rama IV, in honor of the annexation of the Khmer kingdom to Siam.
General view of the terrace:
Royal Pantheon:
The walls of the mondopa are decorated with figurines of the mythical Garuda:
Pra Siratana Pagoda:
Copy of Angkor Wat:
North of the terrace are the Khor Pra Montian Dharma library, Vihan Yod and Khor Pra Naga - the royal mausoleum.
Vihan Yod:
One of two gilded pagodas located near the Royal Pantheon:
Kinnari Guard:
Buddhist bell tower:
The temple complex is surrounded by a wall, the inside of which is painted with scenes from the Thai national epic Ramakien, originating from the Indian Ramayana:
Close to Wat Phra Kaew is the territory of the former royal residence. Previous kings lived here permanently, the current king appears here only for ceremonies.
Chakri Maha Prasat Palace, built under Rama V at the end of the nineteenth century. As you can see, the lower part of the building is built in the European style. it was designed by English architects. Currently used for royal receptions.
Square in front of the palace:
Dusit Maha Prasat Palace:
The palace was built during the reign of Rama I in the image and likeness of the Suriyamarin palace in Ayutaya for the burial of kings and their families. Despite this, it is also used for the annual ceremonies dedicated to the coronation day, which is celebrated as a national holiday. Here stands the real throne of Rama I.
The Amarindra Vinichai Hall, built under Rama I, is the only hall in the Grand Palace open to visitors. Before the construction of Dusit Maha Prasat, it was used as a royal reception room, and today there is an ornate royal throne in the shape of a boat. The royal chambers adjoin the hall. According to tradition, every newly-minted king after the coronation must spend at least one night here.
In conclusion, a little useful information:
- entrance to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the territory of the royal palace is carried out with one ticket (the cost for foreigners is 400 baht, in addition, this ticket gives the right to visit the Vimanmek Palace in Dusit Park);
— best time to visit - immediately after opening, later it will be very crowded;
- there is a strict dress code on the territory - clothes must necessarily cover the legs and shoulders, shoes must cover the entire foot (no slap), when entering the territory there is an opportunity to rent missing clothes;
- on the approaches to the temple, tourists are caught by scammers who tell tales about the fact that the temple and the palace are closed. You shouldn't believe them, the complex is open every day from half past nine to half past four;
- the second danger lurking gullible tourists near the temple is the vendors of bird food. The fact that these are traders and for the food will have to pay a rather large sum by local standards, the tourist usually finds out after he took a bag of food from their hands and poured it out to the birds - "for luck." Fighting off scammers after that is not an easy task.
Wat Phra Kaew is the main shrine not only of the Thai capital, but of the whole Kingdom. Located in the central part of the city, it receives thousands of tourists and pilgrims every day. The construction of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha dates back to the 18th century and the most interesting thing is that even today it continues to be considered a symbol of good luck. Being in Bangkok and not visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the same as being in Moscow and not going to Red Square.
Today, the main shrine is a whole complex, the buildings of which are made in the traditional Thai style. His total area 95 hectares, surrounded by a wall on all sides. The main building of the entire complex is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Royal Pantheon, the Library, Phra Sirana Chedi also deserve special attention. The remaining numerous buildings can be attributed to secondary, from a tourist point of view, they are unremarkable.
During the walk, you will see many miniature lakes with lotus flowers. Visitors are also attracted by various creatures, including the Yaksha demons, bird people, the monkey king and others. Note the Buddhist domes with several steps. Images of snake heads can be seen on the roofs of buildings.
At the entrance to the temple there are 12 bronze lion statues. On the door panels, you will see episodes from the Thai epic Ramakiyana. Scenes from the life of Buddha are painted on the walls and ceiling of the temple. Thanks to the images, you can see his entire life path, from the moment of birth to enlightenment.
Wat Phra Kaew can be looked at for hours. Each element is of particular interest here. In addition to 12 lions, other mythical creatures are installed around the main building, whose main task is to scare away evil spirits. The Buddha himself is seated on a wooden throne, covered with gold on all sides. On both sides of the deity, you will see two more Buddha statues dedicated to the first two rulers of the royal Chakri dynasty.
Unlike the temple, the Golden Stupa was erected only in the 19th century. Due to its impressive size, it can be seen from almost any corner of the complex. A small part of the relics of Buddha is kept inside. This shrine was donated to the Kingdom by the authorities of Nepal.
You will not be able to visit the Royal Library, as it is closed for tourists. But at the same time, the exterior of the building is simply mesmerizing. A few minutes from the library there is another interesting building called the Royal Pantheon. Inside you can see sculptures of the rulers of the Chakri dynasty. Its doors are opened only once a year (April 6). It is on this day that the Day of the Royal Dynasty is celebrated, and members of the royal nobility take part in the solemn celebrations.
There is a museum next to the temple complex. It contains the old outfits of the Emerald Buddha, his jewelry and other valuable things. Museum visit is included in the price entrance ticket, so you don't need to pay extra.
All the Kings of the Chakri dynasty made a certain contribution to the construction and development of the temple. Approximately once every half a century, reconstruction and major repairs are carried out on its territory.
Emerald buddha figure
Jadeine (jade) was used in the manufacture of the statuette. It was named emerald due to the green tint of the material. The figure is adorned with gold. For the first time, the statue of Buddha was discovered in 1436 among the ruins of a pagoda, which was struck by lightning. Over the years, she visited various territories, changed more than one owner. Many rulers tried to get hold of such an important treasure in order to attract happiness and good luck to themselves.
Before getting to Thailand, the statuette was located within Laos. Rama I brought her to Bangkok after the attack on Vientiane. In connection with these events, the temple of Wat Phra Kaew was erected in the capital, in which the shrine was subsequently placed. The Buddha figurine is one of the most ancient relics of Buddhism, as its creation dates back to 43 BC.
IN this moment The Buddha is seated on a golden throne adorned with precious stones on all sides. The height of the altar on which the throne is located is about 3 meters. Only the King has the right to touch the statuette. Three times a year, the Buddha is dressed in different outfits, depending on the season. The king must also take care of the relic. After all, the legend says that the success of the ruler and the prosperity of the state depend on how they take care of the statuette. Each decoration of the Buddha is a real work of art. The outfits are decorated with gold and diamonds.
Despite its worldwide fame, the Buddha figure is relatively small in size. Its height is 66 centimeters, width - 48. The deity is depicted in a sitting position, in the lotus position.
Ticket price and opening hours
The temple complex receives its visitors every day from 8:30 to 16:30. Ticket sales stop an hour before closing. An exception may be days of government events or festivals in which members of the royal nobility take part.
Note! Tourists can enter the temple grounds only through the side doors. The central entrance is intended only for the Ruler and his entourage.
Due to the fact that almost all guests of Bangkok visit the temple, there is always a queue near the ticket offices. Therefore, it is recommended to come early, by 9 o'clock.
The ticket price is 500 baht. It allows you not only to visit Wat Phra Kaew, but also to get acquainted with the Hall of Regalia. Audio guide can be rented for 200 baht.
A few important points to look out for when visiting the temple:
- Do not take too large bags or backpacks with you. You are unlikely to be allowed into the temple, plus there are no luggage storage facilities there. Therefore, you should only have the most necessary things with you.
- To visit the complex you must have a proper appearance... No revealing outfits, short shorts, open shoulders and knees.
- A clothing rental service is provided in front of the temple, but taking into account the number of visitors, things may not be enough for everyone. To rent a kit, you need to leave a deposit of 250 baht. There are many merchants near the complex, from whom you can buy some of the things.
- Be sure to remove your shoes before entering the temple. In addition, do not forget to step over the threshold.
- Females are not allowed to talk to monks.
- Photography is prohibited inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. But this does not mean that the camera will not be useful to you. Good shots can be made on the territory of the complex.
How to get there?
Finding the temple is not difficult, as it is located within the Rattanakosin Peninsula, next to the Royal Palace. The most convenient way to get to the complex is by taxi, the average cost of a trip is 200-250 baht. Not far from the temple there is a bus stop. Routes follow here - 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 43, 44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 123, 501, 508.
There is no metro station near the temple. Therefore on surface metro you can get to the SapkhanTaksin station. There change to river tram, you need to get off at pier number 9. The entrance to the temple is located 100 meters away.
In general, you can reach the complex on foot.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the map
On this map I have marked the exact location of the temple.
Wat Phra Kaew is a really important attraction in the capital and every visitor to Bangkok should visit it. There is a special atmosphere here, allowing you to get in touch with the past of the Thai Kingdom and get acquainted with the main religion of the country.
If you have been to Bangkok and have not seen the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, then you have not been to Bangkok! It's like coming to Moscow and not getting to Red Square. The comparison, by the way, is quite correct - the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok also occupies a large area. However, there is one important difference - for foreigners, the entrance to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is not cheap.
For the first time, we got to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha when we arrived to celebrate New Year in Bangkok. He was close to our hotel Villa Guesthouse , and it could be reached on foot. I'll tell you even more - we got to Wat Phra Keo on December 31, the last day of the outgoing year.
Remember the saying "If you do not sin, you will not repent"? So, before we had time to enter the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, we immediately began to sin (against the system). How? Very simple: by photographing the Emerald Buddha himself. It is forbidden to shoot it, so the staff of the temple incessantly poke at photographers trying to capture the main shrine of Thailand. But if you have not yet entered the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (or just left it), then the statuette can be easily photographed from the street through the large window by the door. What we actually did. After that, they already took off their shoes and went inside, cleansed of sin.
Of course, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok is considered to be the most beautiful temple complex in Thailand. But isn't it too expensive - 500 baht for a ticket for foreigners? Thais, by the way, enter the territory of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha free of charge.
A photograph of the Emerald Buddha that cannot be photographed.
Why is the ticket to Wat Phra Kaew so expensive
When buying a ticket to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, you get the right to see not only the temple complex of Wat Phra Kaew with all these architectural masterpieces, statues and other beauty shimmering in the sun. With a ticket to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you can also admire the Grand Royal Palace. And with the same ticket, during the week you can enjoy the views of the Vimanmek teak palace, the Ananta and Abhisek throne rooms, and also go to the coin exhibition and something else there.
On the other hand, everything is learned by comparison. And 500 baht is a ticket not only to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, but also to the Temple of Truth in Pattaya. And where, then, is the price overpriced?
But be that as it may, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the main attractions in Thailand, a must-see in Bangkok! Shiny Buddhist temples and majestic palaces, masterly executed statues of demons, animals and birds, beautiful park on a well-groomed territory ... You can safely take the first half of the day to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so that, while walking slowly, you can feel all the charm of this amazing place. That is why it is better to go to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on your own.
Just don't forget the dress code: no open shoulders, no short skirts or shorts. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is not only a beautiful place, but also sacred. You will definitely feel it.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha: a selection of the best photos
Our virtual tour to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha starts from the very gate, where the first test awaits us - we need to squeeze through this crowd!
Most beautiful photos Temple of the Emerald Buddha are obtained from this point, which is located even before the cash register. So you don't have to go further! Joke.
: stern guards keep a close eye on order.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok: this photo is unique in that you will not even count the pathetic one and a half thousand tourists in the frame.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok: golden domes.
Thai tourists do not make noise, do not ask passers-by to photograph themselves and do not exist.
In Thailand, street food can be found at every turn. And the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is no exception.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha: golden domes. Yes, again.
You will go to the left - Big Royal Palace you will find. If you go to the right, you will get to the toilet.
We turned left and the path led us to the Royal Palace. And not only us.
On the territory of the complex there is not only the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, but also a palace built in the European style. Tourists were not allowed there, the photo was taken through the bars.
Those who have been to Thailand know how many street dogs there are. Even the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok cannot do without them.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Royal Palace in Bangkok.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, our reference
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew, วัด พระ ศรีรัตนศาสดาราม) was built in the late 18th century. This is the main Buddhist temple in Bangkok, and the whole complex of buildings around it is also called. This complex also includes the Grand Royal Palace - the former residence of the Thai monarchs. Inside the main temple is kept the Emerald Buddha - a jadeite statue 66 cm high.According to some reports, it was found in one of the temples of Chiang Mai, according to others - in Chiang Rai in the 15th century. They say that twice a year the King of Thailand personally dresses the Emerald Buddha.
How to get to Wat Phra Kaew and where to stay
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located in the heart of Bangkok, on Rattanakosin Island. Location on the map:
In 2019 (well, finally!), An MRT underground station called Sanam Chai opened a 20-minute walk from the temple. You can also get to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha by ferry (Tha Chang pier), and there are about a dozen buses from different parts cities. Just navigate from the point you want to the temple complex on Google maps - they are good at building routes on public transport across Bangkok.
Or you can come here on foot. After all, the area of \u200b\u200bBangkok where the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located is incredibly popular among tourists. There is a huge number of hotels - both cheap and prestigious. Here are a few good hotels in the Wat Phra Kaew area of \u200b\u200bBucking, which we can recommend.
Many tourists who rest in Pattaya visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as part of the Historical Bangkok excursion. You can order this excursion in our agency. Description of all programs and prices - in our price list.
