Wat Phra Kaeo- The Temple of The Emerald Buddha

The Chapel Royal or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, usually called Wat Phra Kaeo and offically named Sri Ratana Sasadaram Temple, is the most interesting and famous of Bangkok’s temples. Since its foundation in 1785 A.D., it has never been allowed to fall into decay. This collection of chapels, halls, towers, etc., can be divided into two groups: The Bot or Chapel of the Emerald Buddha proper, and the small edifices which stand around, viz., three small chambers on the west, twelve salas, the belfry on the south, and a small chapel in the southeastern corner.

The central chapel was erected by King Rama I, according to the usual plan of Thai temples, for the purpose of keeping the famous Emerald Buddha, which is placed upon a magnificent altar. The uppe r part of this altar, which is as old as the chapel itself, is raised on a base added by King Rama III. On either side is a standing image of the Buddha, and these are said to personify the first two Kings of the present Dynasty.

The building on the platform to the north of the Bot include the Library in the northeastern corner and a small chapel in the northwestern corner. The nucleus of this second or northern group of buildings is the Mahamandapa, a square pavilion erected by King Rama I on the site of the ancient Library which was destroyed by fire as soon as it was completed. This pavilion was built for the purpose of keeping the sacred Scriptures and was restored by King Mongkut (Rama IV). One should not fail to see in this library the magnificent bookcase in lacquered teak inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which was made by order of King Rama I and is considered to be the best specimen of this kind of work. The covered gallery which runs round the temple courtyard is intere sting on account of the wall paintings which represent episodes from the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Indian epic Ramayana).

They were made during the reign of King Rama I, renewed under King Rama III, and again under King Mongkut. Besides the buildi ngs just mentioned, the precincts of at Phra Kaeo contain several objects of interest: giants, bronze images the lions, elephants, oxen, and monkeys of good modern workmanship. Eight towers stand in a row on the eastern side of the main temple. The colours of the glazed tiles with which they are covered are different for each tower.

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