The former residence of the King, the Grand Palace, adjoins the temple. The King makes use of this Grand Palace for ceremonial functions such as the Coronation Day. The King’s present residence is to the north of this Grand Palace and is known as the Chitlada Palace. The four structures surrounding the temple have history of their own. At the eastern end is the Borombhiman Hall (built in French architectural design), which was the residence of King Rama VI, now used as guest house for visiting foreign dignitaries. It has the dubious distinction of having been used as the operational headquarters and residence of General Chitpatima who attempted a coup, in 1981. The building to the west is the Amarindra hall, earlier a hall of Justice, now used for formal ceremonies. The Chakri Mahaprasat is the largest hall in the Grand Palace, built in 1882 by British architects, the architecture of which is fusion of Italian renaissance and Traditional Thai architecture. This style is called farang sai chada, (meaning: "Westerner wearing a Thai crown") as each wing has a shrine (mandap) crowned by a spire. Ashes of the Chakri kings (five ancestors) are enshrined in the largest of these shrines, also known as the pantheons, that were rebuilt after a fire in 1903 during Rama IV's reign. Ashes of the Chakri princess who could not become kings are enshrined in an adjoining hall. The throne room and the reception hall are on the first floor, while the ground floor houses a collection of weapons. The inner palace had the King’s harem (the practice was discontinued during King Rama 6's time who decreed the one wife rule), which was guarded by well trained female guards. Another hall in the palace is the 'Dusit hall' in Ratanokosin-style, which runs from east to west, which was initially an audience hall but now converted into a funerary hall for the Royal family. Royal family corpses are kept here for one year before they are cremated in a nearby field. There is also a garden which was laid during rama 4's reign. The garden depicts a "Thai mountain-and-woods-fable" mountain scenes where the coming of age ritual of shaving the topknot of the Prince is performed.
Pagodas
The temple grounds also depict three pagodas to its immediate north, which represent the changing centres of Buddhist influence. One such shrine to the west of the temple is the Phra Si Ratana Chedi, a 19th-century stupa built in Sri Lankan style enshrining ashes of the Buddha.
Library
Rama 1 also built a library in Thai style, in the middle of the complex, known as the "Phra Mondop". The library houses an elegantly carved Ayutthaya-style mother-of-pearl doors, bookcases with the Tripitaka (sacred Buddhist manuscripts), human-and dragon-headed nagas (snakes), and images of Chakri kings.
During the 19th century, the Royal Pantheon was built in Khmer style to the east of the temple, which is kept open for only one day in year, in the month of October to commemorate the founding of the Chakri dynasty
Model of Angkor Wat
The temple complex also contains a model of Angkor Wat (the most sacred of all Cambodian shrines). In 1860, King Mongkut ordered his generals to lead 2,000 men to dismantle Angkor Wat and take it to Bangkok. Modern scholars suggested that the king wanted to show that Siam was still in control of Cambodia, as France was seeking to colonise Cambodia at that time. However, the king's order could not be fulfilled. A royal chronicle written by Lord Thiphakorawong (Kham Bunnag), then foreign minister, recorded that many Thai men fell ill after entering Cambodian wilderness. The chronicle also stated that forest-dwelling Khmer people ambushed the Thai army, killing many leading generals. King Mongkut then ordered the construction of the model within Wat Phra Kaew, instead of the real Angkor Wat that could not be brought to Bangkok. Mongkut died before he could see the model. Its construction was completed in the reign of his son, Chulalongkorn.
A group of Buddhist Monks at the Wat Phra Kaew temple
A ceremony that is observed in the wat is the Chakri Day (begun on April 6, 1782), a national holiday to honour founding of the Chakri dynasty. On this day, the king attends the ceremony. The present king Rama IX, with his Queen, and entourage of the royal family, the Prime Minister, officials in the Ministry of Defence, and other government departments, first offer prayers at the Emerald Buddha temple. This is followed by visit to the pantheon to pay homage to the images of past Chakri rulers that are installed there.
The coronation ceremony, which marks the crowning of the king, is an important event of the Chakri dynasty. One such recent event took place when the present Rama 9 was crowned the King. On this occasion, the King came to the Chapel Royal- the Wat Phra Keo – in a procession wearing a 'Great Crown'. After entering the chapel, the king made offerings of gold and silver flowers to the deity and also lighted candles. He also paid homage to the images of Buddha that represented the past kings of the dynasty. In the presence of assembled elite clergy of the kingdom, he took a formal vow of his religion and his steadfastness to 'Defend the Faith'.
Rules of entry and conduct
The sacred temples in Thailand follow a dress code, which is strictly followed. Men must wear long pants and sleeved shirts and shoes; women must wear long skirts. Visitors who arrive dressed otherwise may rent appropriate clothing items at the entry area of the temple. It is compulsory to remove the shoes before entering the temple, as a sign of respect of the Buddha, as is the practice in all other temples in Thailand. While offering prayers before the Buddha image, the sitting posture should avoid any offensive stretching of feet towards the deity; the feet should be tucked in towards the back.
Elephant statues
Statues of elephants, which symbolize independence and power, are seen all around the complex. As Thai kings fought wars mounted on elephants, it has become customary for parents to make their children circumambulate the elephant three times with the belief that that it would bring them strength. The head of an elephant statue is also rubbed for good luck; this act of the people is reflected in the smoothness of the surface of elephant statues here
Map of Wat Phra Kaew
A..Inthorachit
B..Suriyaphop
C.Wirunhok
D.Mangkonkan
E.Thotsakhirithon
F.Thotsakhiriwan
G.Chakkrawat
H.Atsakanmala
I.Sahatsadecha
J.Thotsakan
K.Wirunchambang
L.Maiyarap
1.Ubosot and the Emerald Buddha
2.Twelve Salas
3.Gandhara Buddha Viharn
4.Ho Phra Khanthararat
5.The Hermit
6.Ho Phra Ratcha Koramanuson
7.Phra Phothi That Phiman
8.Ho Phra Ratcha Phongsanuson
9.Chao Mae Kuan-im (Guanyin Shrine)
10.Than Phaithi
11.Phra Si Rattana Chedi
12.Phra Mondop
13.Prasat Phra Thep Bidon
14.Two Golden Chedis
15.Model Angkor Wat
16.Two Decorated Chedis
17.Mythological figures
18.Monument to Rama I, II and III
19.Monument to Rama IV
20.Monument to Rama V
21.Monumnet to Rama VI, VII, VIII and IX
22.Western Porch
23.Southern Porch
24.Phra Sawet Kudakhan Wihan Yot
25.The Bellfry
26.Ho Phra Nak
27.Ho Phra Monthian Tham
28.Eight Phra Atsada Maha Chedis
29.Ramakian Mural Cloisters
30.Gate No. 1, Koei Sadet (Front) Gate
31.Gate No. 2, Na Wua Gate
32.Gate No. 3, Phra Si Rattana Satsada Gate
33.Gate No. 4, Hermit Gate
34.Gate No. 5, Koei Sadet (Rear) Gate
35.Gate No. 6, Sanam C
More details
Hours:
8:30 to 15:30 pm daily. Admission is freefor foreigners in Thailand THB 200
events - Festival:
Sunday preaching. 13.00
the day: preaching 09:00 am. and 13:00 pm.
Tourist Guide 10.00. am. and 14:00 pm.
Contraindications:
Do not take photos in the temple. Dress
Woman: Do not wear shorts. Sandals
women: Do not put the vest. Wearing sleeveless short trousers, sandals.