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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.
From the by-paths of history in the great restoration during King Rama
I and King Rama III, it is said that all best craftsmen from the Royal
Palace, outside the palace, all art work specialists, and the monks devoted
themselves in creating this elaborately decorated monastery. This was
done to fulfill the King's ambition of using this Wat as the centre of
Thai arts and knowledge, where descendants can study indefinitely.
In The Ubosot of Wat Pho book, Chakrabhand Posayakrit who is a famous
artist of Thailand said on October 10, 1999 The fine arts in Wat Pho
are a bounteous wealth of knowledge. These enormously valuable resources
can stimulate and enhance youthful enthusiasm for attaining artistic excellence
and distinction.
Wat Pho is an important landmark in the Rattanakosin area. Visitors can
enjoy the beautiful Buddhist fine arts and the existing Thai intellect
which has descended from ancient times, taken as immortal careers knowledge.
The monastery is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00 hrs., with an admission
fee of 20 baht.
Open: Daily 08:00 - 17:00 (Massage available until 18:00)
Location: Maharat Road. Close to the river
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