INTERESTING
PLACES IN
WAT PHO

     The wealthy fine arts and knowledge in this monastery had been accumulated for 25 years between the reigns of King Rama I and King Rama III of the Chakri Dynasty. Whilst a 2-3 hours visit will only give you a glance, it would take a lifetime to study all the arts and knowledge existence. Let's follow numbers shown on the map to assist you with your Wat Pho tour guide, and also advise you of the 2-3 monastery entrances you can use.

       Starting at the sheltered gate, you will see the crown-like spire elaborated with multicoloured mosaic flowers winding down. These flowers were made from colourful Chinese ceramic bowls cut into petals. This ceramic flower decoration can be found on all over parts of this design and it is said that this design and architecture specially pleased King Rama III. There are 16 sheltered gates to enter the sacred quarter.

     Passing through any of the sheltered gate and then looking back, you will see a “Lan Than Nai Tvarapala”, Chinese rock giants holding weapons in hands, standing on both sides as the gate guardians. Let us take some photographs here first. The Chinese rock giants and there will be another explanation of them later.

      The 2 nd Buddhist architecture is called Phra Uposatha, (the main chapel or Bot or the Assembly Hall – a hall used for performing the monastic ritual). For Buddhists, the main chapel is the heart of the monastery, as without a main chapel, it would be a monk center and not a monastery.

      The main chapel was constructed in the reign of King Rama I in Ayudhya style. It was then reconstructed and enlarged during the reign of King Rama III. All sheltered windows and doors are made of hard wood with crown–like spires and colour-glazed tiles. Inlays of mother–of–pearl on the outer side of the entrance door panels depict episodes from the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Ramayana – the world famous Indian epic); while on the inner side are painted specimens of ecclesiastical fans of rank which are presented to the monk sovereigns.

     The principal Buddha image is “Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn” in a gesture of seated Buddha on a three tiered pedestal called Phra Pang Smardhi (Lord Buddha in the posture of conoentration), and some ashes of King Rama I are kept under the pedestal. The mural paintings in the hall depict Mahosatha Pandita (The Great Bachelor of Mithila City), The heavens, and Phra Etadagga a disciple. On the middle tier there are two images of the Original Disciples, while the eight effigies of the Holy Priests stand on the lowest pedestal. Inside panels of the windows are decorated with lacquer work of the seals of these monastery dignitaries (in the reign of king Rama III).