Temples In Thailand

The Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the full official name Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is located in the historic center of Bangkok, Phra Nakorn district.

The stunning temple was completed two years after the capital was moved from Thonburi to Rattanakosin in 1784 by King Rama I who founded Chakri dynasty. It consists of over a hundred brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics. When you enter the compound, you first of all see Wat Phra Kaew and the nearby attractions, and then move to the Grand Palace afterward.

Wat Phra Kaew itself is perhaps the main attraction. This is Thailand’s most important and sacred temple, so you’re expected to act with due respect inside it. It houses the tiny Emerald Buddha, which is located high above the heads of the worshippers and tourists. Not much is known for certain about the statue, expect that it isn’t actually made of emerald but rather of green jade or jasper. Getting a good look at it is difficult as photography is forbidden inside the temple, and it’s perched so high up inside its glass box that it’s difficult to really see.

The splendid robe of the Emerald Buddha image that it wears is changed 3 times each year by the King himself, at the start of each season : A diamond encrusted gold robe during the hot season, a solid gold robe in the cool season and a gilded monk’s robe in the rainy season. There are also many other Buddha images inside the temple.

The wall surrounding the temple area from the outside only a plain white wall is painted with the murals showing scenes from the Ramakian, the Thai version of the famous Indian epic, Ramayana. Several statues in the temple area resemble figures from this story, most notably the giants five-meter high statues. Also originating from the Ramayana are the monkey kings and giants which surround the golden chedis.

Despite is national importance, Wat Phra Kaew is the only temple in Thailand that doesn’t have any resident monks, and so is not a seat of Buddhist learning in the same way as the likes of Wat Pho and Wat Mahathat.