|
| Wat
Suthat is on Bamrung Muang Road and is famous for the excellent
murals created in the reign of King Rama III. The Wihara (preaching
hall) should be seen for its collection of gilded Buddha images.
A huge door with intricate carving, which is the masterpiece of
King Rama II, once belonged to this temple and is now kept in
the National Museum. In front of the temple is the Giant Swing
or Sao Ching Cha, where a Brahmanic ceremony had taken place until
the early 20th century. Many nearby shops stock a very comprehensive
range of Buddhist religious supplies. |
|
|
|
| Wat Suthat
was constructed in 1807 after the 27th anniversary of the founding
of Bangkok by King Rama I. The main wihan is surrounded by a cirulambutory
area of three levels. On the uppermost level are mounted small
chapels for each of its fours corners. Phra Sisakayamuni, the
main Buddha image, is larger and older than any other bronze cast
Buddha image in Thailand. The base of the image is 6.25 metres
wide and has a height of 8 metres. |
|
|
|
|
| The
cloisters surrounding the wihan contain dozens of Buddha images.
The compound is very large and sometimes very quiet. |
|
|
|
|
| The
ordination Hall (or ubosot) is said to be one of the most beautiful
in Thailand and very large in size. The 72 metre high structure
is supported by 68 pillars. Phra Putatrilokachet is a Buddha image
cast in bronze. It is 5.20 metres in width and 8.45 metres in
height. Surrounding the ubosot can be found many Chinese statues
which were originally used as ballast for ships. |
LOCATION:
On Bamrung Muang Road
OPENING HOURS: It is open every day from 8.30 a.m. - 830 p.m.
ADMISSION: 20 baht |
Copyright
information: All pictures by Nattawud
Daoruang. Information from brochures obtained at location
and Tourism Authority of Thailand. Additional information by Richard
Barrow and Nattawud Daoruang. |
RELATED
LINKS: Learn about the Thailand
that most tourists don't get to visit at ThailandLife.com.
Coming to Thailand on holiday or to work? Learn some Thai today for
free at LearningThai.com
and ThaiPhrasebook.com.
A list of quality web sites about Thailand can be found at SrinaiWeb.com.
|
