Located in the city of Bankok, is the heart of all Buddhists in Thailand; Wat Phra Kaeo. There lies the Emerald Lord Buddha in central ubosoth and this statue is in standing form with a height of 66cm carved from a single jade stone. Only the king is allowed to touch the statue in order to change the cloak three times a year in the hope of good fortune to the country. The roots of the statue is from India, according to legends, however its records states that it was found in Cambodia in 15th century and was moved to Laos and Vientiane and it was kept there for 215 years and at last, it was brought to Thailand in 18th century.
According to prophesy made by Nagasena, a Brahmin who later became a Buddhist Emerald Buddha is suppose to bring prosperity and pre-eminence to wherever it is. Therefore it is well respected by Thai people.
Wat Phra Kaeo covers an area of 234 acres. The style we find here is the old Bangkok style. The main temple which is similar to the temple in ancient capital of Ayudhya is embellished with polished orange and green tiles, the pillars are inlaid in mosaic and the pediments are made of rich marble. There have been additions to the temple after its creation during Rama I’s reign. The wood work was replaced, the elegant doors and windows and the copper plates on the floor were added the wall paintings and several frescoes were refurbished. King Mongkut added three chambers to the western end.
The entry to the temple is from the third gate from the river pier. It is guarded by a pair of yakshis who are mythical. A wall complex about 2 km long covers the inside including the temples. It is decorated with the typical Thai murals. There are twelve salas around the temple and they contain certain valuable artifacts native to the region. The perimeter of the temple complex has 12 open pavilions. Also there are many other monuments found in the complex such as the Grand Palace, pagodas, library, model of Angkor wat, hermit statue, nine towers and elephant statues. The grand palace was the former residence of the king while the pagodas situated at the temple’s north contain ashes of Lord Buddha. King Rama I built a library here in Thai style at the middle of the complex and it is named as “Phra Mondop”. Hermit statue is found at the western side sala of the complex near the entrance gate. Eastern side houses the nine towers which are affixed with glazed tiles with different colours denoting the nine planets. Elephant statues symbolize independence and power.
Travellers’ Guide
If you plan to visit here what you must repeat is that this place is of religious values that appreciate simplicity and respect to Lord Buddha. Therefore ladies should wear long skirts and no sleeveless tops and men should wear long trousers with no sleeveless tops. Everyone should remove their slippers and shoes at the entrance as a respect to the place and while praying your legs should not be in an offensive way to the statue. After you reach Bangkok it is not a difficult task to find Wat Phra Kaeo.
Here are some of the best hotels and restaurants in the area and don't forget to visit them too.
Lebua at State Tower Hotel
1055/111 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok
17, Sukhumvit Soi 20, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tai-Pan Hotel
25 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok 10110
Novotel Bangkok Fenix Ploenchit Hotel
566 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
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