The image is more than an idea. It is a vortex or cluster of fused ideas and is endowed with energy.
Ezra Pound
Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand
Delving deeper into Siam history, today’s feature will take you a few years before Wat Pho. To the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. King Rama the First established the Rattanakosin Kingdom across the Chao Phraya river in the year 1782. He had wrested the famed Emerald Buddha from King Taksin. Emerald refers to the statue’s deep green colour.
Since 1785, people have prayed to this revered statue at The Grand Palace complex. But, the idol has had a long journey from India, SriLanka, to Cambodia, Laos and then through various Thai kingdoms. All because it is a Jade statue. And Jade brings prosperity and good fortune. The Emerald Buddha is the most sacred of all religious icons in Thailand.
The Complex
👆1. The three major structures in the Grand Palace complex – The Golden Stupa, The Buddhist Library, and the Royal Pantheon. The Ceylonese style stupa from the time of Rama IV enshrines Relics of Lord Buddha. The library built by Rama the First houses Buddhist scriptures. The Pantheon originally built to accommodate the Emerald Buddha now has eight statues of previous kings.
👆2. Two giant demon guardians (Yakshis) at each entrance shield the temple from all evils. They stand tall at 16 feet. Around the complex, you see Six such guardians. They represent important characters from Ramakien, the Thai epic.
The Temple
👆3. The chapel, Phra Ubosot houses The Emerald Buddha. The architectural style belongs to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Gilt and coloured-glass mosaic cover the entire structure.
👆4. The main entrance to the chapel has three ornate doors. From the central door, you can see the Emerald figure seated high above on a decorated pedestal. No photography, and no footwear here!
👆5. The mythical bird Garuda, who is part human, makes an appearance throughout the temple walls. It has a sharp beak, long ears and downcast eyes with both hands up.
👆6. The epic Ramayana is the story of Lord Rama from India. Ramakien is its Thai adaptation. A gallery around the temple has painted murals from this epic. They used Vegetable and flower dyes along with gold-infused paint to create this spectacle.
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew make for a compelling visit to understand the Thai Kingdom’s culture and traditions. A visit to the temple and the palace require the visitors to be fully clad.
