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| Buddhists in Thailand strongly
believe that worshipping sacred temples is a way
to make merit. Therefore, during the New Year
festival, a lot of people go to pay homage to
significant temples and shrines. If there is a
chance, most of them prefer to visit nine places
within a day. Why nine? Here is the reason. Thais
pronounce the number "9" as "kao"
which is similar to the sound of the word (kao)
which means to step and to progress. Thus, they
believe the worship that they show at nine sacred
places will bring prosperity to their lives. |
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Buddhists paying homage to
a Buddha image
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There are nine
temples in Bangkok which are popular among worshippers
due to their importance and the locations that
are close to each other. That's why going to nine
temples within one day is possible.
Apart from Thai people, you tourists, are also
invited to visit these temples to appreciate Thai
cultural heritage that cannot be valued. |
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Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
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1. Suthat Thepwararam Temple
(Wat Suthat) Erected in 1807, this temple features
Bangkok's tallest vihara and houses a 14th century
Buddha statue from the Sukhothai period named
Phra Si Sakkayamuni. The beautiful doors of
the vihara were carved by King Rama II (1809-1824),
who was a versatile artist.
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The delicate patterns on the
doors of the vihara, Wat Suthat
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But the original
works are now kept in the National Museum as
a national treasure, and the ones we see in
the temple today are replicas. People assume
that making merit here will make them leaders
of vision.
Location: Behind the Giant Swing, opposite
the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
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Buddha images in the
vicinity of Wat Suthat
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2. Chao Pho
Sua Shrine (The Shrine of the Godfather Sua)
This is an old Taoist shrine which Thai-Chinese
people regard as a must-visit to pay homage to.
Since the name of the shrine, "sua"
means tiger, paying respect to the statues here
is believed to bring more authoritative power
to the worshipper.
Location: Tanao Road, San Chao Pho Sua
sub-district
3. Chana Songkhram Temple (The Temple of
War Victory) Constructed in the Ayutthaya period
(1350-1767), this temple was called Wat Klang
Na or Wat Tong Pu.
Later, King Rama I gave it the present name. Owing
to the auspicious meaning of its name, people
think that worshipping the Buddha images in its
ordination hall will make their enemies vanquished.
Location: Chakkraphong Road, Banglamphu
sub-district |
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The City Pillar
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.4. The
City Pillar Shrine In 1782, King Rama I
ordered the erection of a wooden pillar as a
token of the founding of Bangkok as the new
capital. The spirit of the pillar is considered
to be the city's guardian deity having a powerful
might. A large number of folk visit the shrine
daily in order to eliminate misfortune and extend
life.
Location: Near the southeast corner of
Phra Men Ground or Sanam Luang, next to the
Grand Palace
Top |
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Wat Phra
Kaeo
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| 5.
Wat Phra Kaeo (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
King Rama I (1782-1809) had this temple established
in the Grand Palace after the fashion of the Ayutthaya
period. |
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The Emerald Buddha image
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This is the holiest of all Thai temples. The most
sacred Buddha image in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha,
is enshrined here. This small green-jade statue
has a reputation for bringing good fortune and
prosperity to life.
Location: Inside the Grand Palace |
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Wat Pho
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6. Wat Pho (The Temple
of the Reclining Buddha) It boasts the largest
reclining Buddha image in Bangkok. King Rama
III had a command to inscribe the content of
some textbooks on stone plates to be fixed to
the inner walls around the monastery in order
to benefit the public. People believe that making
merit here will help them live peacefully.
Location: Behind the Grand Palace, near
Tha Tien Pier
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A stone figure portraying
a
position of Ruesi Datton exercise
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7.
Wat Kanlayanamit At the beginning of its construction,
the main vihara including the principal Buddha
image, Sampokong, was built by the command of
King Rama III (1824-1851). This temple was influenced
by Chinese architecture which can be noticed at
the gable of the ordination hall. It is decorated
with Chinese-style mosaic in floral patterns.
Making merit at this temple will help the worshippers
travel safely.
Location: Wat Kanlayanamit sub-district,
Thon Buri district |
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The ordination hall of Wat
Kanlayanamit
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8.
Wat Rakhang Khositaram One of the most revered
monks in Thailand -- Somdej Phraphutthachan To
Phrommarangsi -- once was abbot here. He was
very strict in observing the 227 Buddhist rules
of conducts for monks. At present, he is still
highly honoured though he passed away many years
ago. The Chinabanchon verses which are
very holy and well known throughout the country
was written by him. Worshippers believe that they
will be well known throughout the country like
the chimes of the bell (rakhang) if they come
to worship at this temple.
Location: On the west bank of the Chao
Phraya River, obliquely opposite Tha Chang Pier.
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A building housing Buddhist
scriptures, Wat Rakhang
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9. Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) The
monastery was established in the Ayutthaya period
(sometime between 1350-1767). Later, King Taksin
(1767-1782) promoted it to be the royal temple
within the compound of his palace under the
name "Wat Chaeng". A major renovation
and restoration was conducted under the command
of King Rama II. Its name we know nowadays --
Wat Arun -- was given by King Rama IV (1851-1868).
In the old days, the tall pagoda in the temple
was the first place in Thon Buri to catch the
morning light.
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Wat Arun
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This pagoda is famous for its
splendid design as shown in numerous tourist
brochures of Thailand. Those who come to make
merit here will have a glorious life like the
rising sun.
Location: Near the Royal Thai Navy headquarters,
Arun-amarin Road, Bangkokyai district.
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