Viharn Mongkol Bophit, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Grand Palace
UNESCO: Viharn Mongkol Bophit |
Viharn Mongkol Bophit
The large viharn, a place of the sacred Phra Mongkhon Bophit;
bronze sitting Buddha is higher than 12 meters. This building has been restored
and new designed by Prince Naris, the younger brother of King Rama
V. He also designed the Marble Temple in Bangkok.
Phra Mongkol Bophit |
Despite Phra Mongkhon
Bopit is one the largest Buddha statue in the country.The Lord had moved many
times. The bronze Buddha parts are removable and reassemble. In the early
Ayutthaya the Lord was located outdoor. Then he was moved closer to the Wat
Phra Si Sanphet. Viharn was burnt and heavily damaged during war in the second
fall of Ayutthaya.
On 1957 AD (2500
BE), Department of Fine Arts has
discovered a number of Buddha images restored in the arm of the Lord, the
current display at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum and Chandrakasem National
Museum.
UNESCO: Main Chedi, Wat Phra Si Sanphet |
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
This temple was the most
important temple in Ayutthaya, located in the Grand Palace compound. The temple
did not have monk quarter as well as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra
Kaew) in the Grand Palace, Bangkok, and Wat Phra Kaew, Kamphaeng PhetHistorical Park. It was the place for the royal ceremonies and kept the bone of
royal family.
Layout of the temple was a
rectangle. Viharn was home to the Phra Si Sanphet Dayan, the standing Buddha
with 16 meters height. The core of the statue made of bronze covered with gold.
During the second war, the Buddha was burnt for gold taking by Burmese, leaving
only the bronze core. Currently the core is stored inside Phra Maha Chedi Si
Sanphet Dayan at Wat Pho, Bangkok.
Behind the viharn, there are three large main
chedis contained the bone of three kings. The subordinate chidis are collected
other royal member bones. The survey found that the chedi vault was kept a
seven-tier miniature chedi with Buddha relics inside.
UNESCO: Grand Palace Ruin |
Sanphet Maha Prasat Throne Hall
However, records told that the most beautiful
building was Sanphet Maha Prasat Throne Hall. King met his guests and arranged
important ceremonies here.
Did you know?
Now you can see the scale-down Sanphet Maha
Prasat at the Ancient City, Samut Prakarn. It is the centre of the Thai
historic models, one of popular tourist’s attractions.
In addition if you go to
Kanchana Buri, the model of Sanphet Maha Prasat and other Ayutthaya and Bago
historic places are located at The Legend of King Naresuan Movie Site at Surasi
Camp. It is constructed correctly from history and research. Open for public
visit and exhibition. See www.prommitrstudio.com