What country is the emerald buddha in? Where did the emerald buddha come from
The Buddhist temple in Bangkok called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew is considered one of the most sacred places in Thailand and impresses tourists with its grandeur. Arriving on vacation in Thailand, absolutely all vacationers first of all go to this holy place.
The construction of the temple began in 1782, and the founding of Bangkok is also associated with this date. The whole complex consists of hundreds of buildings on 95 hectares, painted in bright and golden colors. Entering its territory, first of all, Wat Phrakew attracts the attention, and then the Grand Royal Palace adjacent to it.
Where is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The main attraction of Thailand - the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok is located in historical center cities on the Rattanakosin Peninsula (address Thanon Na Phra Lan, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok). You can also see the location of the temple on the map.
How to get there
If one of the goals of your arrival in Thailand is not only the desire to travel, but also to visit the sights and holy places, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be the first item on the list. You can get to Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok by taxi, bus, water transport or on foot.
Directions by taxi to the temple will cost a maximum of 200 baht (for 2 km - 35 baht). If you use public transport you can save on travel. More than two dozen buses go along the route you need, the only drawback for you will be the duration of the trip. If you live near the station Subway Saphan Taksin, you can get there by boat (for 15 baht). Well, the last option - walking tour with google map hints.
History of creation
The people of Thailand believe in the power of the Emerald God. Near this statue, all the rulers of the country, starting from Rama I, take an oath of allegiance to citizens.
Wikipedia says that Wat Phra Kaew Temple was built in 1782 specifically for the sacred statue of the Emerald Buddha. The first mention of the shrine dates back to 1434. They say that the lightning that split Buddhist stupa in half, created a statue. For 300 years, the shrine traveled around Asia and only then returned to Thailand again. During its existence, the temple has experienced many reconstructions - the wooden components were replaced, new doors and gates were installed.
Architectural style
Wat Phra Kaew temple is located on the territory huge complex buildings on 94.5 hectares. Initially, it was intended for the needs of the royal family. The very architectural style in which the temple is built is called Rattanakosin.
The entrance to the building is guarded by two 5-meter demons. The domes are decorated with gilding, silver and Chinese glaze, the pillars are covered with mosaics. Along the perimeter of the building there are many statues of mythical creatures, and its walls inside are painted with scenes from the life of Buddha. On the pedestal is a statue of the Emerald Buddha 66 cm high.
Yaksha guarding the treasures of the gods and devouring greedy people. In the photo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok looks majestic and at the same time peaceful.
Did you know? It is forbidden to take photos in the temple itself, but it is still worth taking a camera, because there are many attractions on the territory of Wat Phra Kaew.
What to see on the territory
Not the entire territory of the complex is accessible to tourists, but what is allowed to see is more than enough.
Statues of Yakshas (demons)
Yaksha statues guard the entrance to the building. They were installed during the reign of Rama II in order to protect the sacred figurine from evil spirits.
Chedi Phrasirathana
A huge 80-meter golden stupa with a narrow passage inside. According to legend, after the death of the Buddha, his remains were kept in 8 such stupas. It is reported that it is in this chedi that parts of the chest bone of the Buddha are kept.
Phramondop
Phramondol - a library on the territory of the complex. It contains sacred books. Tourists are not allowed to access this building, but appearance cannot but attract attention. The walls of the library are decorated with golden figurines of the gods, and the huge doors are decorated with mosaics.
Gazebo of the Gandhara Buddha
Not far from the temple there are 12 pavilions for relaxation. The statue of the Gandhara Buddha is made in Indian style and is made entirely of bronze. The peculiarity of this statue is that it plays an important role in Royal ceremonies.
north terrace
The northern terrace is the first building of the Phranak temple, was built during the time of Rama I. The temple was destroyed under Rama III, but the building remains. It was going to be used as a mausoleum for the younger members of the dynasty.
Gallery "Ramakien"
The Ramakien gallery is located along the walls of the temple. These 178 murals depict images from the ancient epic Ramakien. The gallery is constantly being restored and protected from moisture.
Legend of the Emerald Buddha
According to legend, the statue of the Emerald Buddha was discovered back in 1436 in Chien Rai after a lightning hit the temple. In the ruins of the building, they found a green figurine inlaid with gold. When the king found out about this, he ordered the find to be brought to the capital, but the elephant, which was supposed to deliver the Buddha, refused to go in the right direction and went to Lampang. Note that the elephant in Eastern cultures is considered a step higher in development than a person, so they did not interfere with the animal and for a long time the figurine was in this city. In 1552, the shrine ended up in Vientiane, and after 200 years it returned to Siam. Already in 1785, the figurine was officially deposited at Wat Phra Kaew, where it remains to this day.
- Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew is considered the most important temple in Thailand.
- Only the ruler and members of his family have the right to enter through the central entrance. The rest enter the territory of the haram through the side gate.
- The height of the Emerald Buddha is 66 cm and the width is 48 cm.
- Once every 50 years, a major overhaul of the construction of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha takes place.
- Every season, the Buddha statue is changed. Only the king can perform this action. The rest are forbidden to touch the shrine.
- It is still unknown what material the figurine is made of. There are suggestions that it could be jadeite or jade.
Opening hours
The temple is open to the public every day from 8:30 to 16:30. An hour before the ticket office closes, tickets are no longer sold, so it is advisable to plan your day so that you arrive at Wat Phra Kaew in the morning.
It is important to know. Guides in the temple work from 10:00 to 14:00. Guided tours are available in English, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Chinese. Be aware of the dress code when entering the temple. Beach and open clothing is prohibited here. At the entrance, those visitors who are not appropriately dressed are offered clothes for rent.
Ticket prices
The entrance fee to the temple grounds is 500 baht. If you take a guided tour, you will have to pay an additional 200. With this pass, you can also visit the Royal Palace and the Hall of Regalia. Don't forget the dress code.
What to see nearby
Next to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha complex is the Wat Pho temple, where you can see famous statue reclining Buddha. Also, if you are lucky enough to visit Bangkok, then be sure to study the reviews of tourists and visit:
- tallest abandoned skyscraper in the world,
- Sikh temple (religion that unites all religions),
- museum of retro technology,
- the marble temple of Bangkok, which impresses with its architecture,
- temple of the Golden Buddha with a huge statue of a god 3 meters high and weighing 5.5 tons made of pure gold.
They still consider the ensemble Royal Palace with many temples and monasteries. What do you think, is it worth visiting Thailand? 4 ratings, average: 4,50
out of 5)
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Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Thailand) - description, history, location. The exact address, phone, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
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Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is one of the main Buddhist shrines in Thailand. So if, in addition to a “vegetable” holiday on numerous beaches, you also plan to get acquainted with the culture of the country, then you should visit this temple. In addition, the emerald Buddha is of great importance not only for Thailand, but also for Buddhists around the world.
Wat Phra Kaew is located on the island of Rattanakosin, in the historical center of Bangkok. In fact, the temple is part of the Grand Royal Palace, which used to be the residence of kings. By the way, the temple was built specifically for the religious services of the king.
Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is one of the main Buddhist shrines in Thailand.
Until now, the central doors of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are open only to the king and his family, and tourists enter the building through the side gates. The history of the Emerald Buddha is full of secrets and mysteries. However, it is known that the statue was found in 1434 in the city of Chiengar, when lightning struck one of the Buddhist stupas. According to ancient legends, the statue of Buddha was made by the monk Nagasen 500 years after the Buddha reached nirvana. However, it is not known for certain who the real author of the emerald Buddha is.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
By the way, some tourists mistakenly believe that the statue is made of emerald. In fact, it is carved from a single piece of jadeite. And the word "emerald" in this case means only green color. It is worth noting that the temple is considered a symbol of prosperity and power, and the statue itself traveled from one ruler to another for a long time - everyone tried to get it and keep it forever. King Rama the First built a temple for the emerald Buddha in 1784, and since then the statue has found its home.
The Emerald Buddha is very modest in size - the height of the shrine is 66 cm, the width is 48 cm.
It was Rama the First who invented the rite of dressing the Buddha. During the rainy season, winter and summer, the statue changes its appearance. Each season has its own clothes richly decorated with gold and stones. Interestingly, the right to dress the statue belongs only to the king of the country. During the change of clothes, all those present are poured with water so that they are lucky.
In addition to the Buddha itself, there are many other things to pay attention to in the temple. So, for example, the walls inside the building are very beautiful - they are decorated with frescoes. Outside, two bronze lions are seated, which were brought from Cambodia. Among other things, here are the royal pantheon, a library and a mausoleum.
Remember that when visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you must follow the dress code. Men must wear long-sleeved trousers and shirts, women must wear clothing that covers their shoulders. If you suddenly forget about this rule, you can rent the appropriate clothes before entering.
Practical information
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is open to visitors every day from 8:30 to 15:30. Only on the days of royal ceremonies, the temple is closed to tourists. Price entrance ticket- 500 THB.
Prices on the page are for April 2019.
(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 Keo is located in the historical part of Bangkok, on the island of Rattanakosin. It was here, on the site of the settlement of Bangk Makog, the founder of the current ruling Chakri dynasty, King Rama I, at the end of the eighteenth century, founded new capital, which has evolved over time into modern Bangkok. To consolidate the status of the capital, it was decided to transfer to the new capital the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which had previously been kept in the temple and at that time was one of the most revered relics in Thailand. To store the statue, the Wat Phra Keo temple complex was built near the territory of the royal palace.
The main bot, the Emerald Buddha is stored here:
According to legend, the Emerald Buddha was found in the ruins of an old pagoda that 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 their capital - Luang Prabang. Later, the Emerald Buddha was transported to Vientiane, from where it was taken out in the second half of the eighteenth century by General Chakri, the future King Rama I.
By the way, not an emerald was used to create the statue, but jadeite.
Wat Phra Kaew is one of the few temples in Thailand where photography inside is prohibited. But those who want to capture the Emerald Buddha in a photo or video can do this outside the bot:
The statue is dressed in gold clothes, 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 Royal Pantheon Prasat Phra Dhepbidon, which houses eight statues of the kings of the Chakri dynasty, Mondop is a repository of sacred Buddhist texts written on scrolls from palm leaves, the gold-covered Pra Siratana pagoda, inside which is the bone of the Buddha, and a copy of the Khmer Angkor Wat, installed under King Rama IV, in honor of the accession of the Khmer kingdom to Siam.
General view of the terrace:
Royal pantheon:
The walls of the mondop are decorated with figurines of the mythical Garudas:
Phra Siratana Pagoda:
Copy of Angkor Wat:
To the north of the terrace are the Khor Pra Montian Dharma Library, Vihan Yod, and Khor Pra Naga, the royal mausoleum.
Vihan Yod:
One of the two gilded pagodas located near the Royal Pantheon:
Kinnari Guardians:
Buddhist bell tower:
The temple complex is surrounded by a wall, the inner side of which is painted with scenes from the Thai national epic Ramakien, which comes from the Indian Ramayana:
Close to Wat Phra Keo adjoins 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 in the late nineteenth century. As it is easy to see, Bottom part the building was built in the European style, because designed by English architects. Currently used for royal receptions.
Square in front of the palace:
Dusit Maha Prasat Palace:
The palace was built under Rama I in the image and likeness of the Suryamarin Palace in Ayutthaya for the burial of kings and members of their families. Despite this, it is also used for annual ceremonies dedicated to the day of the coronation, which is celebrated as National holiday. Here stands the original throne of Rama I.
Amarindra Vinichai Hall, built under Rama I, the only hall open to visitors Grand Palace. Before the construction of Dusit Maha Prasat was used as a royal reception room, here and now there is a richly decorated royal throne, made in the shape of a boat. The royal chambers adjoin the hall. According to tradition, every new king after the coronation should 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 on one ticket (the cost for foreigners is 400 baht, in addition, this ticket entitles you to visit the Vimanmek Palace in Dusit Park);
— best time to visit - immediately after the opening, later it will be very crowded;
— there is a strict dress code on the territory — clothes must cover the legs and shoulders, shoes must cover the entire foot (no flip flops), at the entrance to the territory it is possible to rent the missing clothes;
- on the approaches to the temple, tourists are caught by scammers who tell stories about the fact that the temple and the palace are closed. You should not believe them, the complex is open daily from half past nine to half past four;
- The second danger that lies in wait for gullible tourists near the temple is bird food traders. The fact that these are merchants and you will have to pay a rather large amount for food by local standards, the tourist usually finds out after he has taken a bag of food from their hands and poured it out to the birds - “for good luck”. Fighting off scammers after that is not an easy task.
Wat Phra Kaew is one of the most beautiful and important temple complexes in Thailand. (Wat Phra Kaew), located right in the center of the Thai capital . The temple complex itself, in turn, consists of many groups of buildings and attracts attention with bright colors and elaborately decorated exterior facades. In the territory temple complex you can see from 50 to 100 temples and statues, so to see the whole complex, you need to have enough time left.
The temple is located north side Palace complex and is separated from it only by a gate. The main purpose of the temple is for the needs of the royal family. The central doors of the temple are open exclusively to the reigning king and his queen. The only thing binding rule at the entrance to the temple - you can enter there only by wearing long trousers.
The entrance to the temple is guarded by Khufa - statues of formidable demons. The temple has absolutely all the traditional buildings, except for the monastic cells, because in the entire history of the temple, monks have never lived on its territory.
The dome of the temple is decorated with gold and bronze inlays, Chinese glaze. Absolutely white outside, inside, the walls of the temple are painted with pictures telling stories from the life of the Buddha. Paintings depicting the characters of the Thai version of the Ramayana adorn the territory of the temple courtyard. There are also many statues here, including the statue of the monkey king.
Statue of the Emerald Buddha - the main shrine of the temple
The beginning of the construction of the Wat Phra Kaew temple complex dates back to 1782. It took almost a hundred years until the temple set was completely ready and the last building on its territory was completed. It is in the temple of Wat Phra Kaew that the famous statue of the Emerald Buddha is located, popular and loved because of its magnificent green color.
Jade Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew
The figure of the Emerald Buddha is the main shrine of the temple, for the sake of it the temple complex was erected. The Buddha is carved from a single piece of blue-green jadeite and sits on a golden throne made of gold. Depending on the season (hot, rainy, cool), the Buddha is dressed in appropriate clothes, he has 3 outfits in total, one for each season. The monarch dresses the statue with his own hands. Despite the rather modest size (75cm), the statue plays an extremely important role for every Thai.
The history of the creation of the shrine
The time of the creation of the statue and the name of its creator are not known, but the first mention of it dates back to 1434. It was then that the lightning that hit the Buddhist stupa split it in half. In the place of the split, they found a green Buddha. The Emerald Buddha has traveled throughout Asia for centuries, visiting Laos and Cambodia. Only in 1782 did he return to his homeland - to Thailand, where he found a permanent place in a temple specially built for him at the end of the 18th century.
It is said that whoever owns such a jade Buddha is guaranteed happiness and prosperity for life. Of course, small copies of the green Buddha can be purchased everywhere in Bangkok, including on the territory of the temple complex. This is a popular and wonderful souvenir that guests are happy to buy.
In Bangkok, we went on an excursion to the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand, which is called Wat Phra Keo or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (its official name is Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram). This is one of the most. Wat Phra Keo Temple is located in the historical center of Bangkok, on the territory of the Royal Palace (we have already seen a similar palace in the city), and is home to Phra Keo Morakot (Emerald Buddha), a Buddha image highly revered by all Buddhists, made from a single piece of jade. The peculiarity of this temple is that royal ceremonies and holidays are held in it. I have long wanted to know what the statue of the Emerald Buddha is, and finally I managed to do it. Now I will tell about everything in order.
Wat Phra Kaew(Wat Phra Kaew) is a sacred and especially revered place for Thais, the most important temple and the place where the most valuable relic of the Kingdom of Thailand is kept. In the very center historic city Bangkok religious building there is a statue of the Emerald Buddha, considered sacred and incredibly valuable for the ruling royal dynasty of the country. Compared to other shrines in South-East Asia, for example, the Mahamuni Buddha statue in, it does not differ in outstanding size, however, every citizen of Thailand considers bowing to her as happiness. Wat Phra Kaew is incredibly beautiful, and on its territory there are several interesting places, which are worth seeing for everyone during a tour of.
Basic information:
| Name | Wat Phra Kaew (or Temple of the Emerald Buddha) |
| Where is | In the historical center on the territory of the Royal Palace, in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok |
| Address | Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand |
| GPS coordinates | 13° 45′ 5″ N, 100° 29′ 33″ E 13.751389, 100.4925 |
| What is | The temple, which houses the main Buddhist relic of the Kingdom of Thailand - the sacred statue of the Emerald Buddha, as well as unique frescoes showing scenes from the epic Ramayana |
| When was built | 18th century |
| Founder | King Rama I (Phutthayotfa Chulalok) |
| Working hours | Daily from 8:00 to 15:30 |
| Ticket price | 500 baht |
Wat Phra Kaew on the map:
Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew
Let's first understand what is Emerald Buddha? This is a unique statue of Buddha carved in jade in a meditation posture, created in the 15th century, in the style characteristic of the northern Lanna school. Despite its small size - only 48 centimeters wide and 66 centimeters high, it is the most main shrine for all Thais. Her full name is Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn.
No one can approach the statue of the Emerald Buddha, located on a dais in Wat Phra Kaew, with the exception of the King. He (or his proxy) performs a ceremony three times a year to change the robe covering the statue so that it matches the current season - summer, winter, or the rainy season. This ritual is very important and is believed to bring good luck. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha itself is richly decorated and leaves a feeling of calm and tranquility.
- Interesting fact. Thousands of pilgrims and invited guests gather to watch the dressing ceremony of the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew three times a year. During the hot season, he wears the clothes of the time of the kings. During the rainy season, the Buddha looks like a monk. And the cold season, along with the coolness, adorns the shoulders of the Buddha with a golden scarf.
Construction Wat Phra Kaew Temple began under King Rama the First in 1785, immediately after he moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. Unlike other temples in Thailand, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha does not have living quarters for monks, and on its territory there are only richly decorated ceremonial structures, chedis and various statues. The main building is the central ubosot - a hall for religious ceremonies, which houses the Emerald Buddha.
Among other interesting sights in Wat Phra Kaew there is a copy of the famous one, which was built by order of King Rama IV when it was under the control of Siam. The model of the main Khmer temple was later recreated in plaster by order of King Rama V to celebrate the centenary of the royal city of Bangkok.
Helpful advice. When visiting Wat Phra Kaew, be sure to climb inside the temple to the balcony, from where you can best view the frescoes on its walls, showing scenes from the Ramayana epic. On the columns of the balcony there is a poetic description of the actions shown in the frescoes. The entrances to the balcony are guarded by five-meter giant demons Aksha (Yaksa Tavarnbal), which are actors from the same epic and protecting its characters from intruders.
Temple rules. Remember that Wat Phra Kaew is a sacred place for Thais (as for Cambodians), so you need to behave appropriately here. Wear a long skirt or trousers (you can rent a sarong at the entrance) and cover your body and shoulders. Before entering the temple, you must remove your shoes and inspect it with bare feet. Do not turn your back to the Buddha statue and do not speak too loudly, this is considered extremely disrespectful by Buddhists. Taking pictures inside is strictly prohibited.
Working hours: Daily from 8:30 to 15:30, except for the days of celebrations.
Address: Na Phralan, Phra Nakorn district, inside the palace complex in the historical center of Bangkok, Rattanakosin.
Ticket price: 500 Baht.
You can explore Wat Phra Kaew on your own by taking an audio guide in one of the languages \u200b\u200bsuitable for you (there is also a guide to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Russian). If you want to hire an official guide, you can do it during the day from 10:00 to 14:00 at the tour desk.
Keep in mind that the temple closes quite early, at 15:30 visitors are no longer allowed, so don't be late!
Good to know
Wat Phra Kaew holds an annual ceremony called Chakri Day. This national holiday, held since April 6, 1782, celebrates the founding of the royal Chakri dynasty. All the top leaders of Thailand and those close to the royal family are present on this day at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to honor the memory of their ancestors and bring rich gifts.
Finally, watch another video about Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok:
What else to see in Bangkok
Cheap flights to Bangkok
If you want to visit the capital of Thailand - Bangkok, then it is most convenient to buy a ticket and fly to the international Suvarnabhumi airport. there are direct flights several times a day.