Wat Rong Khun – White Temple of Northern Thailand

Wat Rong Khun  วัดร่องขุ่น 

(White Temple of Northern Thailand)

The city of Chiang Rai in northernmost Thailand is one of the remaining areas where  traditional Thai art and culture flourish.  Located near the city of Chiang Rai, about 5 kilometers to the south, is the beautiful Wat Rong Khun or White Temple.  The White Temple of Northern Thailand has become a national landmark and, as one of the most recognizable temples in the country, attracts an increasingly large number of visitors every year.

This trip is not my first time visiting the White Temple but its striking white radiance always brings an overwhelming feeling to me once I arrive and step out of the vehicle.

Wat Rong Khun is unique from other temples in that it has been constructed entirely in a radiant white color with sparking reflections from mirrored glass mosaics embedded in the white plaster. The temple is the idea of Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat, one of Thailand’s most renowned artists, who wanted to build a temple all in white to signify the purity of Lord Buddha. The artist continues to puts his religious belief and desire to enrich Buddhism in Thailand into his contemporary art design. The construction of the White Temple is Khun Chalemchai’s master work, which he refers to as an offering to Lord Buddha and his beloved country.

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Credit :http://www.thailand-travelonline.com

Wat pho วัดโพธิ์, Bangkok, Thailand

History

Bangkok, the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand, is otherwise known as Krung Thep or the City of Angels. The heart of Bangkok is in the so-called Ko Rattanakosin area where this ancient city was first constructed. Much of its historical and cultural heritage was accumulated in this area, and subsequent generations have proudly applied their inherited knowledge for daily life and careers guide-lines through to present time.

Wat Pho, the official name being Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn , is a first grade royal monastery, regarded as the most important one during the reign of King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty. The importance of this is due to the King having managed the restoration of Wat Phodharam, an old monastery from the Ayudhya period, and had it re-established as a royal monastery located near the Grand Palace. Some ashes of King Rama I were also kept under the pedestal of the principal Buddha image known as Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn in the main chapel.

The monastery is located on an area of 20 acres to the south of the Grand Palace, with Thai Wang road in the north, Sanam Chai road in the east, Setthakan road in the south and Maharat road in the west. Separated by a tall white wall on Chetuphon road, the monastery has two main quarters : the sacred (or a chapel section = Buddhavas) and the residential (or the monk's living section = Sangghavas).

It is said in a stone inscription that, after moving to the Grand Palace, King Phra Buddha Yod Fa The Great (King Rama I) recognized that there were 2 old temples along both sides of the Grand Palace : Wat Salak (Wat Mahatart) in the north, and Wat Phodharam in the south. He ordered his noblemen from the department of the Ten Crafts to restore Wat Phodharam in 1788. This first restoration took 7 years 5 months and 28 days. Then there was a celebration in 1801 and the Royal named it “Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklavas”, which was changed to “ Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm during the reign of King Rama IV.

The great restoration, having taken 16 years and 7 months, was done during the reign of King Rama III, by extending both the South Vihara and West Vihara where the large reclining Buddha image is kept, the Missakawan Park, Phra Mondob (Library Hall) and teaching-learning hall as they are of today. Although there was another restoration before the Bangkok Bicentennial Celebration in 1982, no more other major work has been done on the monastery, except for some minor repairs. Photo  Credit http://www.watpho.com

Entrance

Entrance

The Grand Palace (พระบมมหาราชวัง)

The Grand Palace (พระบมมหาราชวัง) adjoins Wat Phra Kaew (วัดพระแก้ว) in a common compound, and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there's a distinct contrast in style between the very Thai Wat Phra Kaew and the more European inspired designs of the Grand Palace (the roof being the exception). The Grand Palace is nowadays used only for occasional ceremonial purposes and is no longer the royal residence. The present King Bhumibol (Rama IX) lives in Chitralada Palace (also closed to tourists), which is located not too far away in Bangkok's Dusit district. Though the interior of most of the buildings remain closed to the public

สถานที่สำคัญ
- Boromabiman Hall, built by King Rama VI and every king since has lived here at some time. 


- Amarinda Hall, the original residence of King Rama I and the Hall of Justice. Nowadays it's impressive interior is used for ceremonial occasions and coronations. It contains the antique throne, used before the Western style one presently in use. 


- Grand Palace Hall / Chakri Maha Prasat. Visitors are allowed inside the spacious European style reception room. This building has not been used for royal residence since the mysterious death of King Rama VIII (the older brother of the current King), found shot dead in his room in 1946. The reverence for the monarchy in Thailand means that, even today, this remains a completely taboo subject to talk publicly about in Thailand.

- The impressive Dusit Hall, rated as perhaps the finest architectural building in this style. 

- The Museum, which has information on the restoration of the Grand Palace, scale models of the Wat and Palace and numerous Buddha images. Labels are in Thai only, but there are free English tours available frequently. Entrance is 50B. 

Credit :http://www.into-asia.com

Golden Mountain , Bangkok

    Golden Mountain or Wat Sraket is an artificial hill, made out of mud and brick by King Rama III (1800s). Then King Rama IV started the construction of the Chedi at the summit. It was not like what it is today. Later on, King Rama V built more structure to complete the Golden Mountain. Since then, minor renovation and constructions have been taken place. On the top, you can view all Bangkok. The large golden chedi is there. The best thing about going to this temple are the bells that line the route up. There will be about ten bells in a row. Ring each for good luck Admission is free except for the final approach to the top, which cost 10 baht. Open daily from 8:00 am. to 5:00 pm. Tel. (02)621-0576, (02)233-4561

Wat Arun Bangkok

       Wat Arun วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร (Bangkok) 

The famous Wat Arun (วัดอรุณ), perhaps better known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. It consists of a massive elongated prang (Khmer-style tower), and is surrounded by four smaller prangs. The prang is described by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as 104m high, while most other sources quote figures around 80-85m. It is decorated by bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China, a hallmark of the reign of King Rama III. The Wat had a brief period as host of the celebrated Emerald Buddha, which now resides in nearby Wat Phra Kaew. 

www.ab-home.net/watarunrachawararambangkok/