Within the cultural program we decided to visit the Royal Palace in Bangkok. We went there with Sasha, Dima stayed at the hotel, for some reason he’s not really attracted to masterpieces of Thai architecture)))
The Royal Palace was built in 1782 by order of King Rama I. The complex includes not only the royal residence and throne halls, but several government buildings and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Occupies an area of 218 square meters and is surrounded by a wall of 1,900 meters in length. At present, the King of Thailand lives in another palace, but in the Grand Palace official ceremonies are held.
The palace complex is huge. This is not only a historical monument, but a religious sanctuary and a museum under the open sky. Everything that shines like gold there, is gold! Temples and other buildings are covered with gold leaf and decorated with precious stones. Almost to all the buildings you can go through a long gallery, which walls are decorated with scenes from the life of Rama.
Also at the territory of the complex there is a miniature of the temple complex in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, which in 1767 the Burmese captured and burned. I’d like to see this ancient city in real.
I was impressed by the Temple of the Emerald Buddha- the most sacred of all Buddhist world. The incredible beauty of the temple, the rich decorations within and among all this magnificence on a gold pedestal the Buddha is sitting on the throne. He is dressed in golden clothes, which are replaced three times a year, in summer, in winter and at rainy season. Despite the fact that the place, in general, is tourist in this temple silence and grace prevail, that just can not be described in words. In general, the Emerald Buddha is carved from a single piece of jade. It was found in 1434 in Chiang Mai province. At that time the image was covered with plaster and the monk who had found it noticed that the plaster on the nose had flaked off, revealing the green stone underneath. The monk thought that the stone was emerald.
In front of the temple there are large bowls with holy water and lotus flowers. You can dip a flower into the water and sprinkle the head, hands and body. It’s a kind of Buddhist blessing. Who refuses blessing?))) Me and Sasha have carefully sprinkled with lotuses.
In another temple at the complex the action was carried out, it was Buddhist holiday and tourists were not allowed there. We just sat there and listened to amazing Thai prayer chants, very beautiful.
At the complex there is a museum of weapons. It’s small, but the number of exhibits is quite impressive. Well, there my child was impressed more than me)
Remember that on the territory of the Palace complex one can not go in shorts and short skirts, T-shirts and T-shirts with a neckline, stretch pants. If you have come in inappropriate clothing, then at the entrance you can rent clothes. Before you enter the temple take off shoes. It is necessary to step over the threshold of the temple, but not to step on it. And in any case do not aim your foot in the direction of the Buddha, it is very insulting. Although, in principle, the Thai are rather lenient to Farangs in questions of Buddhist ethics.
Entry to the Palace costs 350 Baht.
We liked it very much. The place is worth a visit.
