Description of the attraction
The official name of the temple is Wat Phrasiratana Sassadaram, and it is also called the Wat Phrasiratana of the Emerald Buddha. At the entrance to the temple, there are two bronze lions, taken from Cambodia by King Rama I. The base of the temple is decorated with bronze and gilded figures of garud (half birds, half humans), and the outer doors and windows of the temple are decorated with mother-of-pearl designs. The inner walls of the temple are covered with paintings from the times of Rama III (19th century).
Inside the temple, on a high pedestal, is the most famous image of the Buddha - a small statue (66 cm high) carved from solid jadeite (15th century). There are several legends about its origin. According to one of them - the statue was covered with gold plates, on the other - it was inside another, clay statue. The only thing that is known is that the statue was found in 1431 in one of the temples of Chiang Rai and after a long journey fell into the hands of King Rama I.
Throughout the year, the statue changes its robes several times, and the ceremony itself has a deep symbolic meaning and is presided over by the reigning monarch or prince.
Please note that you must take off your shoes when entering the temple. Also, clothes for visiting the temple and the Royal Palace must be selected properly: closed shoes, not allowed - shorts, neckline, mini-skirts, open sundresses or dresses.
