Monday, May 30, 2011

FUN IN THAILAND : The Grand Temple & The Grand Palace

THE GRAND TEMPLE IN BANGKOK
The King Rama I, first king of Chakri Dynasty, had ordered the construction of the temple within the Grand Palace, in accordance with the ancient tradition, and named the temple "Wat Phrasrirattana Sassadaram".










THE TRADITIONAL THAI MURAL PAINTINGS
The mural paintings on the walls of the gallery surrounding the Temple of the Emerald Buddha(Grand Temple) depict the various avatar of Phra Narai as well as the complete story of the Ramakian. The murals were first executed in the reign of King Rama I the Great after his coronation as the first king of Chakri Dynasty. He also directed that the gallery surrounding the chapel be decorated with murals depicting scenes from the "Story of Ramakian" which he had composed himself in 1982. Some of the murals, are well-known and almost often adapted for performance in the "Khon", or masked play.







THE GRAND PALACE
The King Rama I, the first king of Chakri Dynasty, had ordered the construction of the Grand Temple within the enclosure of the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace used to serve as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the 18th century onwards. The present King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, does not reside at the Grand Palace. It is however in use as many royal rituals that performed here by the King every year. Other royal ceremonies celebrated here are coronations; royal funerals, marriages, and state banquets.

Open: Daily 08:30 - 15:30 
Location: Na Phra Lan Road, Old City (Rattanakosin)
Tickets: Tickets sold from 8:30 - 15:30 and cost 200 baht. One ticket includes entry to the Grand Temple and the Grand Palace.

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