Wat Phra Kaew Temple - Thailand

Postcards from Thailand, all showing the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok. The 1st card was sent by Heidi a few days ago and the last by Damien back in 2018. All the others are officials. Over the years I've only received 7 officials from Thailand and 4 of them show this temple.

Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand.

Photo by: Apinan Buahapakdee

TH-357273, sent by Thip.

Located in the historic centre of Bangkok, within the grounds of the Grand Palace, it enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade.

 

TH-26288, sent by Nhok.

The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn) is a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD.

Jatuporn Rutnin - Photography

TH-223732, sent by Tavich.

Raised high on a series of platforms, no one is allowed near the Emerald Buddha except HM the King. A seasonal cloak, changed three times a year to correspond to the summer, winter, and rainy season covers the statue. A very important ritual, the changing of the robes is performed only by the King to bring good fortune to the country during each season. The temple of  Emerald Buddha is beautifully decorated and has a great sense of peace about it.

 

 Photo by Pinit Srimuangkao

 

The construction of the Temple of Emerald Buddha started when King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. Unlike other temples, it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only elaborately decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas. The main building is the central 'ubosot' (ordination hall), which houses the Emerald Buddha. Even though it is small in size, it is the most important icon for Thai people. - in: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-temple/wat-prakaeo.htm