Wat Phra Kaew Home of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Phra Kaew is situated in the compound of the Grand Palace and of course is most famous for being the home to the Emerald Buddha In Thailands most sacred Temple, the Emerald Buddha is of course made out of a single jade stone and is around 66cm tall.

The only person allowed to touch the Emerald Buddha is the Thai King who changes the cloak 3 times per year to signify seasonal changes and bring good luck.

The Emerald Buddha is housed in the central ubosoth, remember, no cameras allowed in here and respect must be shown at all times, also being part of the Grand Palace the strict clothing rules apply to both places, infact most temples in Bangkok apply these rules, in tourist areas such as Pattaya the Monks are a lot more lax in enforcing this and other clothing rules.

Want a quick overview of the history of the Emerald Buddha? OK here we go, made in India, maybe, stolen by the Cambodians, in 1432 the Thais took the Emerald Buddha from the Angkor Wat to Ayutthaya, Kamphaeng Phet, Laos and finally Chiang Rai, where the ruler of the city hid it. After a storm in 1434 the Emerald Buddha was found again.

And from wiki as it gets confusing here.

It was then moved to Chiang Rai, then Chiang Mai, from where it was removed by prince Chao Chaiyasetthathirat to Luang Prabang, when his father died and he ascended the throne of both Lanna and Lan Xang, in 1551. The statue remained here for twelve years. Chaiyasetthathirat then shifted it to his new capital of Lan Xang in Vientiane in the 1560s. He took the Emerald Buddha with him and thereafter the image remained in Vientiane for two hundred and fifteen years until 1778. In the early 18th century, the Kingdom of Lan Xang was divided into 3 different kingdoms; Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Champassak.

Anyway it eventually made its way back to Thailand where I should imagine it will stay forever as it means and signifies too much to the Thai people.

So after a wander round Wat Phra Kaew and taking 100's of photos I have to get it down to about 10 photos, Wat Phra Kaew has over a 200 year history and over 100 buildings on 234 acres, so it wont be easy as many of the buildings and statues are quite amazing in there detail and beauty, where to start...

Outside on the street looking into the compound of the Grand Palace, the elephants are also outside, you can see a few of the buildings in the background, pretty outstanding aren't they.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_01.JPG

There are many entrances to see the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, many are quite dramatic, still have to pay the 400baht entrance fee and also abide by there clothing rules.

One of the entrances into the grounds.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_05.JPG

Nearly there now, lots and lots of tourists and this is a weekday, weekends I should imagine will be packed solid.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_02.JPG

And in we go, first up is a few Buddha Statues.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_06.JPG

Lets move onto the good stuff, now these buildings look absolutely amazing, the golds, reds and blues make it stand out slightly.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_07.JPG

Some of the buildings and views are better seen from outside as you can get some distance from them for a photo or 2. Wide angle lenses move buildings all over the place.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_03.JPG

3 spires in a row, 1 will be a chedi, the other 2 I have no idea.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_04.JPG

Even the salas look great with there loud and vibrant colours.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_14.JPG

Look at the gold on this Chedi, got to be worth a bit even as scraped off gold leaf :)

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_13.JPG

Nicely cut formal trees to set off the buildings.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_12.JPG

My photo of this statue realy doent do it any justice for the colours it contains, mine looks bland where as in real life it is quite spectacular.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_11.JPG

More of Wat Phra Kaew buildings.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_10.JPG

Absolutely stunning.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Buddha_09.JPG

Thonburi and Local Area Tourist Attractions
The Grand Palace

Nice pix of idolatry Whether will stay I think locals will revere cash and virtual stimulation within 400 years.the chequered history of the object at odds with the sutras make your assertion an outside bet. UK and USA let alone Thailand did not exist 400 years back

First up is not a buddah statue but the statue of Cheewaka Komarapach, cast in bronze in the Third Reign, He was a hermit doctor experienced in preparing traditional herbal medicines and the mortar was his symbol

Good pics DD. This is the time of the year to see the Wat Phra Kaew complex as it's not too hot and the crowds are less. Some folks are surprised to see how small the Emerald Buddha is.

As you said, you are not allowed to take pictures inside the main Ubosot that houses the Emerald Buddah, but with the right lens you can get the shot....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...495/WPK-12.jpg

^
Good pic Bob.

He's got on the Rainy Season Robe.

Nice thread DD, also kudos to Bobcock for the wonderful picture of the Emerald Buddah!

Shiloh Jim

Here's another one then.... different outfit, the summer one I think.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...495/WPK-45.jpg