My Bangkok Trip....1st day (Part 2)

2nd location: Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์) - The 9 Wonders of Wat Pho

It is generally known to the Thais, is mainly famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. At 20 acres large, it is the largest Wat in Bangkok, and is technically the oldest too, as it was built around 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital. However, today the Wat today bears virtually no resemblance to that originally constructed, as it was almost entirely rebuilt by Rama I when the capital was moved to Bangkok. It holds the dual honors of having both Thailand's largest reclining Buddha image and the most number of Buddha images in Thailand.

The highly impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration, and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha.

1. Phra Buddhasaiyas (Viharn Phranorn)The Viharn of the Reclining Buddha

The Vihara (pronounced Viharn) of the Reclining Buddha houses the Reclining Buddha of the reign of King Rama III. This is the largest and one of the finest Buddha images to be found in the kingdom. The mother-of-pearl inlay at the feet of the image is of the Thai-Chinese style, as indicated by 108 auspicious signs portraying natural scenes of both Indian and Chinese influences.

2. Sala Rai or Satellite Pavilions

The North Pavilion is a library of inscriptions on Thai traditional massage. Thirty-two drawings of massage techniques are depicted on the ceiling of the veranda. There are also inscriptions of the first Thai proverbs known as Supasit Phra Ruang, Thai literary works called Kritsana Sorn Nong, and a portrait of the Royal Kathin Procession.

3. Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn

This consists of a group of four huge pagodas surrounded by a white wall with sheltered gates built in the Thai-Chinese style and decorated with colour-glazed tiles and Chinese rockery guardians. The pagodas consist of Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sanpetdayarn, Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhammakaroknitarn, Phra Maha Chedi Muni Batborikharn, and Phra Maha Chedi Song Phra Srisuriyothai.

4. The Legend of Songkran

The Nang Songkran legend involves King Kabilaprom and Prince Thammaban. These characters are depicted on the inner walls of the porticos constructed during the reign of King Rama III.

5. The World Heritage Inscriptions

Wat Pho and the Fine Arts Department have worked in cooperation to establish a museum of Buddha images in the different art styles. The images are classified into three major categories including Buddhist Art, the Buddha's Marks and the Buddha's Attitudes. Wat Pho has been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World (MOW) Programme for 2009. The temple was recognized for the historic inscriptions and hermit statues teaching traditional Thai yoga housed inside it.

6. Wat Pho Giants

The outer walls of the Phra Mondob feature a collection of famous Thai proverbs called Kloang Lokaniti and scenes from the legend about the fight between the giants of Wat Pho Giants and Wat Jaeng that resulted in the emergence of Tha Tien pier.

7. Sala Karn Parien

The Sala Karn Parien pavilion was built in the Ayutthaya period as the main chapel of Wat Phodharam and was later restored during the reign of King Rama III. The principal Buddha image of Wat Phodharam named "Phra Buddha Sassada" was once enshrined here.

8. Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn

The main chapel was constructed during the reign of King Rama I in the Ayutthaya style. The principal Buddha image is Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn in the gesture of a seated Buddha on a three-tiered pedestal called Phra Pang Smardhi.

9. Contorted Hermit Mount

The Contorted Hermit Mount was built during the reign of King Rama I. It was the centre of medical science and knowledge from the Ayutthaya period, reflected by statues of hermits or Rishi practicing physical exercises.

These huge stone guards stand at the inner gates.

Wat Pho is also winner of the Award of Outstanding Performance in the 7th Thailand Tourism Awards 2008 in the Cultural Tourist Site – Central Region award category.

TICKETS:
Free admission throughout October 2008

1 November 2008 – 6 April 2009Ticket price: 200 baht per person

Purchase 10 tickets and receive one free ticket

Address:

1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, RajateveeBangkok 10400Thailand

Non stop walking for few hours.....is time to let my precious legs to rest awhile, let the Thai Massage lady used Thai traditional massage to given them relaxed and comfortable....maybe is too comfortable, me really fall as slept on half way massage, just awhile lah! is over abt..... less than 10min....hahaha......