Emerald Buddha Temple

Emerald Buddha Temple currently resides on the grounds of Grand Palace, the heart of Bangkok's historic district. The namesake statue, though called the Emerald Buddha, was carved out of a single piece of jade. The word in Thai designates the deep green color of the stone rather than a specific stone. The Buddha sits in a meditative pose. Though small in stature-the Emerald Buddha is 45 centimeters tall, which is about 17.5 inches-it is impossible to look away when standing in its presence.

The Buddha wears exquisite clothing, crafted out of genuine gold. A total of three outfits have been crafted for the Buddha, changed with the arrival of a new season. When it's time for a new outfit, the clothing is changed with great ceremony. This important ritual is presided over by the Thai king, who is the high master of Buddhist rites. The king will chant prayers as he changes the crown. His servant will change the garment before the king blesses the faithful and the monks gathered to receiving blessings for the new season. The costumes change three times a year, once for the arrival of summer, once for the rainy season, and once for the cool season. The dates are kept according to the lunar calendar, and arrive around March, July, and finally November.

That Emerald Buddha's temple, called Wat Phra Kaeo or Wat Phrakaew in Thai, is one of many buildings on the grounds of the Grand Palace. The temple, topped with green and orange tiles, looks very much like the temple in the old capital of Ayudhya. Today, the architecture is known as the old Bangkok style, or Rattanakosin. Pillars, inlaid with precious materials, stand near marble walkways. The Buddha and the altar are flanked by a pair of images of Buddha, representing the first and second king of the Chakri Dynasty, the current rulers. Intricate paintings, copper-clad walls, and murals also surround the gold-dressed Emerald Buddha.

Bangkok Thailand Temples Many visitors include time at the temples while they're exploring Bangkok. They're at once historical sites, cultural destinations, and fascinating-a place of peace in the midst of a world-class city. Other temples, known locally as wats, are open to visitation. Wat Arun Grand Palace is a landmark of the Bangkok landscape. The Buddhist temple stands on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, named for the Hindu god of the sunrise. When the sun does rise, its morning light bathes the temple in a opalescent shimmer. Wat Saket, too, has a long history. It was renovated by Rama I, the first ruler of the Chakri Dynasty. Situated high on a mountain, the temple offers a fine vantage point for admiring the Bangkok skyline. Wat Pho, near the Grand Palace, is another frequently visited Buddhist temple. It's best known, perhaps, for its statue of the reclining Buddha and its lush gardens.