Statue from Thailand. Emerald buddha

Once, back in 2011, I was lucky enough to visit Bangkok, but then I was more interested in modern sights and shopping centers, so I did not visit either temples. Later I regretted it and set myself the goal of definitely coming to the city again. The second trip to Thailand took place only 4 years later, in 2015. I was already with my husband and immediately decided to start exploring the city with its main treasures. And, looking ahead, I want to say that we were absolutely satisfied with what we saw.

We began our inspection of the territory from the Temple complex, where the chic decoration of the temple itself and the beautiful architecture of the buildings surrounding it are immediately striking. It was also very interesting to look at the numerous figurines placed around the territory: we constantly came across unimaginable mythical creatures, now half-woman-half-lion, now half-man-half bird, garudas, yakshas. We were lucky, the weather was great and everything around was shining and shimmering in the sun, the photos were very good. I also liked the atmosphere inside the complex. And the feeling that I experienced at the sight of the Emerald Buddha is not so easy to convey in words: there was a feeling that I touched something intimate. And, as it seemed to me, I came out happy and peaceful. Therefore, I definitely advise everyone to visit this place.

History of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

I would like to tell you a little about the history of Wat Phra Kaew. The construction of the temple began in 1782 during the reign of Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty. However, the Buddha statue itself is much older. The time of its manufacture has not been precisely established, it is only known that it was found in the 15th century in one of the temples of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. But it was so long ago that history was overgrown with many legends.

They say that they found her walled up in a mortar that collapsed from a thunderstorm. Initially, the statue had some kind of top covering, either gypsum or clay. Once one of the monks noticed that a green stone was visible from under the outer layer. Then he decided that it was an emerald, so the Buddha figurine got its name: Emerald Buddha. Although it is actually made of jadeite.

During its long history, the statue managed to travel a lot and even stayed in neighboring Laos for 2 centuries. But in 1778 she was returned to her homeland by the same Chakri, who later became king and built this temple. Wat Phra Kaew was conceived as the abode of the Emerald Buddha and the personal temple of the king.

How to get to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Prha Kaew is located on the territory of the Grand Royal Palace, in the heart of the capital, its address is Thanon Na Phra Lan, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. Below on the map you can see its location in the city of Bangkok.

You can get to the temple on foot, by bus, taxi or water transport, all the details have been told.

Conditions for visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Territory of the Temple Complex

This is a tourist map on which I marked in red the structures related to the temple complex. Wat Phra Kaew itself, where the statue of Buddha is kept - building No. 10. The map also shows how to get to the shrine from the main entrance. Any tourist can take such a card free of charge at the entrance to the Grand Royal Palace.

The numbers of the buildings that make up the complex are all marked on the map with the corresponding number: 1-12, 32.

The central buildings of the complex are: Temple of the Emerald Buddha (10), Royal Pantheon (9), Royal Library (7) and Phra Siratana Chedi (3). The rest are secondary. To be honest, I did not manage to understand the purpose of some of them, but this did not prevent me from admiring their appearance.

But such cute guards guard the entrances to the complex.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Of course, the main building on the territory of the complex is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Here every little thing is of interest and it seems that you can look at it endlessly. The entrances to the temple are guarded by twelve bronze lions; there are also statues of mythical creatures around, which are designed to scare away evil spirits.

The Emerald Buddha sits inside the temple. He rests on a wooden throne plated with gold. On the sides you can see two large statues of Buddha, they are dedicated to the first two kings. The temple is very beautiful and interesting, but the large crowds of tourists are a little embarrassing, although even this does not interfere with feeling the atmosphere of the place.

Interesting Facts:

Golden Stupa Phra Siratana Chedi

Phra Siratana Chedi, an imposing gilded stupa visible from almost every part of the complex, is designated number three on the map. It was built in the 19th century.

Chedi is the most important Buddhist shrine, as it contains part of the relics of the Buddha. This relic was a gift from the government of Nepal.

Royal Library Phra Mondop

The Royal Library is number 7 on the palace complex map. Unfortunately, the library is not accessible to tourists and the entrance to it is closed, but the building itself looks very beautiful, so making a couple of shots is just a must. It is said that the library contains many sacred texts.

Nevertheless, the building looks very impressive, all covered with small tiles with many interesting details.

Royal Pantheon Pasat Phra Dhepbidorn

Next to the library, at number 9, is the Royal Pantheon.

This building contains sculptures of the kings of the Chakri dynasty (the ruling dynasty since 1782), but again, to the deep regret of tourists, the pantheon is open only once a year, on April 6, when Thais celebrate the Day of the Chakri Dynasty, and then I doubt that anyone then from ordinary people it will be possible to get there, because at this time there is a solemn ceremony with the participation of the royal family.

Museum of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

In addition, if you are interested, you can go to the museum dedicated to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is located outside the temple complex, at number 32 on the map I attached above. The museum contains old clothes and jewelry of the Buddha, historical texts and more. A visit to the museum is already included in the price, so there is no need to pay extra.

I wish you a pleasant trip!

(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 Kaew is located in the historical part of Bangkok, on the island of Rattanakosin. It was here, on the site of the Bangk Makog settlement, that the founder of the current ruling Chakri dynasty, King Rama I, founded a new capital at the end of the eighteenth century, which eventually turned into modern Bangkok. To consolidate the status of the capital, it was decided to move to the new capital the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which was previously stored in the temple and which at that time was one of the most revered relics in Thailand. To store the statue next to the territory of the royal palace, the temple complex Wat Phra Kaew was built.

The main bot, the Emerald Buddha is kept here:

According to legend, the Emerald Buddha was found in the ruins of an old pagoda that had 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 its capital - Luang Prabang. Later, the Emerald Buddha was transported to Vientiane, from where General Chakri, the future king of Rama I, took her out in the second half of the eighteenth century.

By the way, it was not emerald that was used to create the statue, but jadeite.

Wat Phra Kaew is one of the few temples in Thailand where filming is prohibited. But those who want to capture the Emerald Buddha in a photo or video can do it outside the bot:

The statue is dressed in robes of gold, 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 Prasat Phra Dhepbidon Royal Pantheon, in which there are eight statues of the kings of the Chakri dynasty, Mondop is a repository of sacred Buddhist texts written on scrolls of palm leaves, the gold-covered Phra Siratana pagoda, inside which is a Buddha bone, and a copy of the Khmer Angkor Wat, installed under King Rama IV, in honor of the annexation of the Khmer kingdom to Siam.

General view of the terrace:

Royal Pantheon:

The walls of the mondopa are decorated with figurines of the mythical Garuda:

Pra Siratana Pagoda:

Copy of Angkor Wat:

North of the terrace are the Khor Pra Montian Dharma library, Vihan Yod and Khor Pra Naga - the royal mausoleum.

Vihan Yod:

One of two gilded pagodas located near the Royal Pantheon:

Kinnari Guard:

Buddhist bell tower:

The temple complex is surrounded by a wall, the inside of which is painted with scenes from the Thai national epic Ramakien, originating from the Indian Ramayana:

Close to Wat Phra Kaew is 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 at the end of the nineteenth century. As you can see, the lower part of the building is built in the European style. it was designed by English architects. Currently used for royal receptions.

Square in front of the palace:

Dusit Maha Prasat Palace:

The palace was built during the reign of Rama I in the image and likeness of the Suriyamarin palace in Ayutaya for the burial of kings and their families. Despite this, it is also used for the annual ceremonies dedicated to the coronation day, which is celebrated as a national holiday. Here stands the real throne of Rama I.

The Amarindra Vinichai Hall, built under Rama I, is the only hall in the Grand Palace open to visitors. Before the construction of Dusit Maha Prasat, it was used as a royal reception room, and today there is an ornate royal throne in the shape of a boat. The royal chambers adjoin the hall. According to tradition, every newly-minted king after the coronation must spend at least one night here.

In conclusion, some useful information:

- entrance to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the territory of the royal palace is carried out with one ticket (the cost for foreigners is 400 baht, in addition, this ticket gives the right to visit the Vimanmek Palace in Dusit Park);
- the best time to visit is immediately after opening, later it will be very crowded;
- there is a strict dress code on the territory - clothes must necessarily cover the legs and shoulders, shoes must cover the entire foot (no slap), when entering the territory there is an opportunity to rent missing clothes;
- on the approaches to the temple, tourists are caught by scammers who tell tales about the fact that the temple and the palace are closed. You shouldn't believe them, the complex is open every day from half past eight to half past four;
- the second danger that lies in wait for gullible tourists near the temple are the vendors of bird food. The fact that these are traders and for the food will have to pay a rather large sum by local standards, the tourist usually finds out after he took a bag of food from their hands and poured it out to the birds - "for luck." Fighting off scammers after that is not an easy task.

There are three entrances to it, but the central teak-carved gate is open only to the royal family. For many generations, the main religious rituals and rituals of the royal family have been held in the whirlwind, although it has not lived in its Grand Palace for a long time. Believers, pilgrims and just tourists go on excursions through the other two entrances; see the map of the complex so as not to get confused.

It's important to know

• The Emerald Buddha temple is open from 08.30 to 15.30 daily, except for the days when royal ceremonies are held in the palace (which is only 3 times a year). Do not see the stories of people around that, they say, today is a special day and the temple is closed for visits. These are scammers who will offer to show you another temple, no worse, and will take you to the neighboring temple complex of the Reclining Buddha, ripping off decent money for such a disservice. Or even worse - they will lead you to Wat Phra Keo, but from the service entrance, again, for a huge amount! We ask for tickets and all information only on the territory of the shrine.

• A visit to the main religious symbol of the country costs about 12 euros and includes a tour of the entire Wat Phra Kaew, the Royal Palace and adjacent museums.
• You can enter Wat Phra Kaew only in clothes that cover your shoulders to the elbow, in skirts no shorter than the knee for women and trousers for men. Shoes should be with a closed heel. If necessary, you can rent everything you need here, I took a shirt very cheap, only 100 baht, but I left the same amount as a deposit.

• You need to enter any building only barefoot. In museums, there are special shelves for this at the entrance, and near some temples you can take a separate shoe bag and carry it with you.
• Bring cool water with you, at least a liter per person. Since a hike to the main shrine of Thailand will take you a whole day, you can immediately see the golden statue of the Reclining Buddha nearby. And there will be very few shops. In my opinion, already 2!
• Headwear should be as obligatory as underwear. I was at the end of March and personally saw how forgetful characters poured water over their heads and sat in all the shadows, so as not to simply lose consciousness. Don't want to spoil your hair - buy a white umbrella for 200 baht at any store! 100% protection.

• Comfortable shoes! The complex is simply gorgeous, you will have to walk a lot, in the 40-degree heat and can become a big problem! Shoes should not rub, press, and most importantly, it is convenient to take off! You need to put on / take off your shoes on the doorstep of each temple. Remember this!

• Over the centuries, Wat Phra Kaew has been repeatedly destroyed and attacked. Once it was even burned to the ground, but how Phoenix was reborn from the ashes in 1820, thanks to King Anwong, who ordered to rebuild it. The territory of the temple complex, with the adjacent land, is about 95 hectares. Everything looks very rich and well-groomed. Every 50 years, the temple is undergoing major repairs.

Bright colors, glitter of gold and mysterious atmosphere make your head spin! Or is it from the heat?

History of the Emerald Buddha

The Emerald Buddha is a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of jadeite (jade) and decorated with gold, which is considered the talisman of Thailand. It was discovered in Chiengrai (province in northern Thailand) in 1436, among the rubble of a pagoda destroyed by lightning. Then began long centuries of wanderings, the versions of which are many.

Over the years, the statue of the Emerald Buddha wandered from hand to hand, moving between different territories and rulers who tried to get it in order to attract happiness and strengthen their power.

But it is reliably known that the last point of arrival was Laos. From there, after the attack on Vientiane (the capital of Laos), King Rama I took the Buddha with him and brought him to Bangkok. Here he was "dressed in gold" and the entire complex of Wat Phra Kaew was erected specifically in his honor, with long and high walls, so beautifully decorated with paintings and drawings since 1784.

The drawings are really very beautiful and informative, they can be viewed for hours, because there is more than one meter of such painting.

But the emerald Buddha is so revered not only for its rich history and precious material. Its origin dates back to 43 BC. This is a very ancient relic! After all, almost all Thais are Buddhists, the overwhelming majority of them "profess" the Theravada traditions and are very sensitive to it.

Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Thaew

Now the relic sits on a rich golden throne, framed with precious stones, in a special golden altar about three meters high, which looks like an air-multi-tiered chariot of the Indian Gods.

Just look how rich and majestic Buddha looks on his throne!

The rear view is no worse.

The temple itself is adorned with a carved dome inlaid with gold, bronze and Chinese glaze. The base of the building is framed with gilded figures of mystical half-birds-half-humans (garud), windows and doors are decorated with patterns. On the inside, the white walls are painted with frescoes with scenes taken from the life of Buddha Shakyamuni and the Indian Ramayana. Near the temple itself there are statues illustrating the ancient Indian "Journey of Rama": a giant figure of Yakshas 5 meters high, monkey kings and giants.

Depending on the time of year, the emerald Buddha in Bangkok changes into different outfits, more precisely, the monarch personally disguises him. The Buddha himself has three rich decorations in his "wardrobe", also made of gold and diamonds, because there are also three seasons here. I have prepared a photo, in all gold decorations at once, so that you can appreciate all the respect and worship of the Thais for this statue.

No one has the right to touch him, except for the king or the crown prince, who changes his clothes with his own hands three times a year. The king himself wipes the dust from the crown, since, according to tradition, the prosperity of the state and the success of the ruling person is directly proportional to the care of the Buddha statue. This is a whole ritual, ceremony. This tradition was started by the same king Rama I.

At the entrance to the temple, a row of bronze lions sits majestically, which Rama I brought from Cambodia in the distant 18th century. These lions convey their mythical past very well. Rate them yourself in the following photo.

10 huge bronze lions watch the emerald deity intently.

Due to the fact that the temple was originally built exclusively for royal persons, on its territory there are all the necessary buildings: stupas, pagodas, statues and libraries except for monastic cells. Monks have never settled here. This is another feature of this place. But even without this, you will be provided with enough impressive objects!

Personally, I, like all my friends, visited Wat Phra Kaew with great pleasure, not even being a Buddhist. It is a very iconic, important place with a special atmosphere. Having been here, especially if you are not too lazy to go to all the museums on the territory, you begin to understand the culture and traditions of this exotic country much better! Reviews from other tourists speak of the same thing.

Located on the territory of the Royal Palace. The temple is striking in its splendor. The Jade Buddha is located very high and it is not possible to see far away. Taking photos is prohibited, this is strictly monitored. And outside it is very difficult to make a good beautiful photo, as there are crowds of people everywhere. So don't worry, just admire)

Like many temples of Buddha in the world, this one is not inferior in its power and scope. Everything is in style, everything is in line with expectations.

These gigantic statues are called Yakshas - spirits that guard.

On the way you will meet many mythical creatures that will amaze with their detail and splendor of design.

Happy travel, dear reader! And don't forget the panama hat!

Wat Phra Kaew is the main shrine not only of the Thai capital, but of the whole Kingdom. Located in the central part of the city, it receives thousands of tourists and pilgrims every day. The construction of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha dates back to the 18th century and the most interesting thing is that even today it continues to be considered a symbol of good luck. Being in Bangkok and not visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the same as being in Moscow and not going to Red Square.

Today, the main shrine is a whole complex, the buildings of which are made in the traditional Thai style. Its total area is 95 hectares, it is surrounded by a wall on all sides. The main building of the entire complex is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Royal Pantheon, the Library, Phra Sirana Chedi also deserve special attention. The remaining numerous buildings can be attributed to secondary, from a tourist point of view, they are unremarkable.

During the walk, you will see many miniature lakes with lotus flowers. Visitors are also attracted by a variety of creatures, including the Yaksha demons, bird people, the monkey king and others. Note the Buddhist domes with several steps. Images of snake heads can be seen on the roofs of buildings.

At the entrance to the temple there are 12 bronze lion statues. On the door panels, you will see episodes from the Thai epic Ramakiyana. Scenes from the life of Buddha are painted on the walls and ceiling of the temple. Thanks to the images, you can see his entire life path, from the moment of birth to enlightenment.

Wat Phra Kaew can be looked at for hours. Each element is of particular interest here. In addition to 12 lions, other mythical creatures are installed around the main building, whose main task is to scare away evil spirits. The Buddha himself is seated on a wooden throne, covered with gold on all sides. On both sides of the deity, you will see two more Buddha statues dedicated to the first two rulers of the royal Chakri dynasty.

Unlike the temple, the Golden Stupa was erected only in the 19th century. Due to its impressive size, it can be seen from almost any corner of the complex. A small part of the relics of Buddha is kept inside. This shrine was donated to the Kingdom by the authorities of Nepal.

You will not be able to visit the Royal Library, as it is closed for tourists. But at the same time, the exterior of the building is simply mesmerizing. A few minutes from the library there is another interesting building called the Royal Pantheon. Inside you can see sculptures of the rulers of the Chakri dynasty. Its doors are opened only once a year (April 6). It is on this day that the Day of the Royal Dynasty is celebrated, and members of the royal nobility take part in the solemn celebrations.

There is a museum next to the temple complex. It contains the old outfits of the Emerald Buddha, his jewelry and other valuable things. A visit to the museum is included in the cost of the entrance ticket, so you don't need to pay anything extra.

All the Kings of the Chakri dynasty made a certain contribution to the construction and development of the temple. Approximately once every half a century, reconstruction and major repairs are carried out on its territory.

Emerald buddha figure

Jadeine (jade) was used in the manufacture of the statuette. It was named emerald due to the green tint of the material. The figure is adorned with gold. For the first time, the statue of Buddha was discovered in 1436 among the ruins of a pagoda, which was struck by lightning. Over the years, she visited various territories, changed more than one owner. Many rulers tried to get hold of such an important treasure in order to attract happiness and good luck to themselves.

Before getting to Thailand, the statuette was located within Laos. Rama I brought her to Bangkok after the attack on Vientiane. In connection with these events, the temple of Wat Phra Kaew was erected in the capital, in which the shrine was subsequently placed. The Buddha figurine is one of the most ancient relics of Buddhism, as its creation dates back to 43 BC.

At the moment, Buddha is seated on a golden throne, adorned with precious stones on all sides. The height of the altar on which the throne is located is about 3 meters. Only the King has the right to touch the statuette. Three times a year, the Buddha is dressed in different outfits, depending on the season. The king must also take care of the relic. After all, the legend says that the success of the ruler and the prosperity of the state depend on how they take care of the statuette. Each decoration of the Buddha is a real work of art. The outfits are decorated with gold and diamonds.

Despite its worldwide fame, the Buddha figure is relatively small in size. Its height is 66 centimeters, width - 48. The deity is depicted in a sitting position, in the lotus position.

Ticket price and opening hours

The temple complex receives its visitors every day from 8:30 to 16:30. Ticket sales stop an hour before closing. An exception may be days of government events or festivals in which members of the royal nobility take part.

Note! Tourists can enter the temple grounds only through the side doors. The central entrance is intended only for the Ruler and his entourage.

Due to the fact that almost all guests of Bangkok visit the temple, there is always a queue near the ticket offices. Therefore, it is recommended to come early, by 9 o'clock.

The ticket price is 500 baht. It allows you not only to visit Wat Phra Kaew, but also to get acquainted with the Hall of Regalia. Audio guide can be rented for 200 baht.

A few important points to look out for when visiting the temple:

1. Do not take too large bags or backpacks with you. You are unlikely to be allowed into the temple, plus there are no luggage storage facilities there. Therefore, you should only have the most necessary things with you.
2. You must have proper appearance to visit the complex. No revealing outfits, short shorts, open shoulders and knees.
3. A clothing rental service is provided in front of the temple, but taking into account the number of visitors, things may not be enough for everyone. To rent a kit, you need to leave a deposit of 250 baht. There are many merchants near the complex, from whom you can buy some of the things.
4. Be sure to remove your shoes before entering the temple. In addition, do not forget to step over the threshold.
5. Females are not allowed to talk to monks.
6. Photography is prohibited inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. But this does not mean that the camera will not be useful to you. Good shots can be made on the territory of the complex.

How to get there?

Finding the temple is not difficult, as it is located within the Rattanakosin Peninsula, next to the Royal Palace. The most convenient way to get to the complex is by taxi, the average cost of a trip is 200-250 baht. Not far from the temple there is a bus stop. Routes follow here - 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 43, 44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 123, 501, 508.

There is no metro station near the temple. Therefore, you can get to the SapkhanTaksin station by overground metro. There, change to a river tram, you need to get off at the pier number 9. The entrance to the temple is located 100 meters away.

In general, you can reach the complex on foot.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the map

On this map I have marked the exact location of the temple.

Wat Phra Kaew is a really important attraction in the capital and every visitor to Bangkok should visit it. There is a special atmosphere here, allowing you to get in touch with the past of the Thai Kingdom and get acquainted with the main religion of the country.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha keeps the main shrine of Thailand, which is allowed to be touched only by the king or crown prince. The temple complex covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 55 hectares in the historic center of Bangkok, adjacent to the Grand Royal Palace.

The construction of a masterpiece of Thai architecture began during the reign of Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty. It was he who brought the sculpture from Laos in 1778, and three years later moved the capital of Siam from Thonburi from the right to the left bank of the Chaopraya River. Since then, a coronation ceremony has been held near the statue of the Emerald Buddha, during which the rulers of the country vow to faithfully serve the people. Believers believe that the image of the deity is responsible for the power and prosperity of the kingdom.

The founder of Buddhism is depicted seated on a throne in the lotus position. On both sides there are two glass spheres representing the Moon and the Sun. The head is crowned with a multi-level golden crown. Inlaid bracelets adorn the wrists, ankles and forearms. Both hands are resting on the knees, palms are turned up. This gesture is called dhyana mudra and symbolizes meditation prior to enlightenment. The stone statue is carved from translucent jadeite. The precious mineral is formed in rocks of volcanic origin under conditions of high pressure and freezing temperatures. Since ancient times, magical properties have been attributed to the gem in Southeast Asia; amulets and jewelry for monarchs were made from the stone.

Three times a year, a solemn ritual of changing the statue is held, since there are three seasons in Thailand. In the cold season, the outfit consists of a cape that completely envelops the body; in the rainy season, the vestment leaves the right shoulder, feet and hands open. In the dry season, the sculpture looks the most impressive, but it will still not be possible to make out the openwork elements of the attire. The fact is that the hall is semi-dark, and the sculptural composition is small (66 cm in height and 48 cm in width with the pedestal), moreover, it is impossible to come close: only Thais are allowed close for prayers. Photo and video filming is prohibited, you can only take pictures through open doors.

History

The guides tell tourists the myths about the origin of the statue, found in 1434 in the northern province of Chiang Rai. According to one of the versions, the walled-up chedi split from a lightning strike, and then the monks saw a green statue hidden in a mortar. Another legend says that the figure of the deity was covered with a layer of plaster for disguise, and if it fell accidentally, the piece broke off, as happened with the statue of the Golden Buddha. The monastic brethren decided that the sculpture was made of emerald, which later gave the name to the most famous object of religious worship in Thailand. According to ancient legends, the first mention of the Emerald Buddha appeared 500 years after the Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment. For the sake of possession of the sacred relic, wars were organized, many kings sought to take possession of the talisman, according to beliefs bringing power and wealth. For several centuries, the statue has visited different states.

Layout and interior of Wat Phra Kaew

The territory is surrounded by a high wall; the total length of the perimeter is 1.5 km. The central doors of the temple are open only to members of the royal family, and visitors pass through the side gates. The pagodas are inlaid with gold and bronze. Lotuses float in flowerpots. The entrance to the wat is guarded by 12 bronze lions brought from Cambodia, and mythical creatures: the Yaksha demons, the half-humans-half birds Garuda and Kinnari. Characters from Thai mythology are also present on the terraces and in the courtyard.

The facades are covered with carvings, paintings and scenes from the Ramayana. The frescoes depict 180 episodes of the ancient Indian epic.

The complex also houses a library, a pantheon mausoleum, where urns with the ashes of royal persons rest, and a miniature copy of the main attraction of Cambodia - Angkor Wat.

The gilded stupa was built in 1855 by order of Rama IV, who entered world history under the name Mongkut. This monarch was a skillful politician, and thanks to his subtle diplomacy, built on the difference of interests of European countries in Indochina, Siam managed to avoid colonization, unlike neighboring states.

The cult building contains a box with the relics of Buddha - a bone recovered by the disciples of the Enlightened One from the funeral pyre. The ritual of bypassing the stupa is performed clockwise, starting from the east, an odd number of times. Everyone can perform the Buddhist ceremony on their own or with other pilgrims walking at that moment.

Opening hours

Wat Phra Kaew is open to visitors every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Entrance fee is 500 baht, sale ends at 15:30. Children up to 120 cm tall are admitted free of charge, above - for 250 baht. Renting an audio guide costs 200 baht (broadcast in Russian is available), services of a guide-guide - from 800 baht. Map maps are provided free of charge. There are always queues near the ticket offices.

It should be borne in mind that there is a strict dress code in the temple, and simply covering up with a pareo, as in other holy places, will not be enough. Information on what clothes should be is posted on the stand. Blouses, shirts and T-shirts with short sleeves, shorts and ripped jeans, skirts above the knee, cropped or tight trousers, and tight dresses are not allowed. Nearby, in stalls, clothing that meets the requirements is sold and rented. You must take off your shoes at the entrance. If you don't want to go barefoot, bring your socks with you. You cannot go inside with backpacks and large bags, there is no storage room. Women are forbidden to touch the monks and speak to them.

How to get there

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located on the artificial island of Rattanakosin, formed by the Chaopraya River and several canals. Nearby are the routes of city buses: No. 2, 9, 12, 25, 32, 43, 44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 123, 501, 508.

It will turn out to be reached by water transport. First you need to get to the river pier by BTS (overground monorail Skytrain), get off at the Saphan Taksin station and walk to the pier, and then change to the Express boat and for 20 baht sail to pier number 9, from it to the temple there will be only 100 m.

It is easy to walk from Khao San Road or Chinatown.

You can order a taxi online using the GrabTaxi mobile application. The service provides for the possibility of payment both by card and in cash.