Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of Emerald Buddha)

Wat Phra Kaeo, the most sacred temple in Thailand, is a home to the statue Emerald Buddha, which is now a synonym of the temple, as it is globally known as Temple of Emerald Buddha.

Quick facts

• Name: Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of Emerald Buddha)
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Built 18th century
• Type of attraction: Architectural/Temple
• Ticket price: From $3

The statue is highly revered and considered in Thailand as the protector of the country. It is carved out of the single piece of jade and it is only 66 cm tall.

The Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most treasured Buddha image, is housed in the temple. The painting is housed in the ubosot (ordination hall), an opulent structure built after King Rama I established Bangkok as Siam’s new capital in the second part of the 18th century. Murals cover the walls of the Rattanakosin-style structure.

The Emerald Buddha image, also known as “Phra Kaew Morakot,” is situated on an extremely ornate raised alter in the ubosot, dressed in gold and valuable jewels. A single piece of dark green jade was used to cut the 66-centimeter tall figure in meditation mudra.

Three times a year, at the beginning of the summer, rainy, and chilly seasons, the King performs an extravagant ceremony to replace the Emerald Buddha’s clothes.

Colorful murals on 178 panels adorn the walls that surround the temple. Each one represents a scenario from the Thai rendition of the Indian epic Ramayana, the Ramakien.

Interesting facts about Wat Phra Kaeo

Here are some interesting facts about this amazing historical and religious landmark:

• The entrance to the temple is guarded by a pair of yakshis (mythical giants – 5 meters high statues).
• It is compulsory to remove your shoes when entering the temple (this applies to every Buddhist temple).
• If you are not appropriately dressed to enter the temple, you can rent clothes.

Read more: Interesting facts about Wat Phra Kaeo