The Mondop and Hor monthian Tham
Guide : This building is the Mondop. It is used as the library or the scripture hall because inside it contains the Tripitaka or the Buddhist Holy Manuscripts, which are kept in a mother-of-pearl inlaid book cabinet.
Tourist : Was it also built at the same time as the Golden Stupa?
Guide : In face the Mondop was the first building that was built on the elevated platform. It was built in the reign of King Rama I. The Mondop is a square building with a spired roof. The exterior walls are decorerted with coloured-glass mosaics. Another beautiful object to admire is the mother-of pearl inlaid door-panels and the statues of demon door-guardians.
Tourist : That’s a good question. As there are several volumes of the Tripitaka, not all of them are contained in the Mondop. The rest of the Tripitaka is housed in Hor Monthian Tham, which is located to the north of the Mondop. Therefore Hor Manthian Tham is regarded as the supplementary library. Inside Hor Monthian Tham there are many beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid book-cabinets. This building was built by Prince of the Front Palace or the Deputy King of King Rama I.