Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part II

After visit the Temple of Emerald Buddha and Yakshas, we move towards a Sri Lankan style stupa which is in shining golden colour.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi

The stupa is named as Phra Sri Ratana Chedi. According to the information, it was built for enshrining chest bone ashes of Buddha. 

Next to the Phra Sri Ratana Chedi is the Phra Mondop which built in Thai style. It is a repository built by King Rama I for Buddhist sacred scriptures that inscribed on palm leaves, which contained in a cabinet inlaid with mother-of pearl.

Phra Mondop

Statue in front of Phra Mondop

From Phra Mondop, we move to Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn. No idea on name of the building? Me too. When translated into English, it is named as The Royal Pantheon. When have a bird view of this building, then you would found that it is in cross (十) shape. Of course we had no chance to get bird view, just referred to the information in hand..hehe..

Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn

Do you notice the pagoda on top of the Pantheon?

The Royal Pantheon is open to public once a year and we heard that there are enshrined statues of Kings of current Chakri Dynasty.  In front the Pantheon, there are two large golden chedi which built by King Rama I in commemorating His parent.

The Golden Chedi

Each golden chedi is designed to be supported by 20 demon statues that believe to be the guardian of The Grand Palace.

Not far from the golden chedi, there is Angkor Wat. What..Angkor Wat?? Yes, but in mini size. Hehe...Although I had not been to the real Angkor Wat before, but the model was looked like same piece with the real (from photo), just in mini size.

Miniature Angkor Wat

When looked close to the model, we were amazed by the craftsmanship where the tiny parts were also being carved patiently. This mini Angkor Wat was built by the request of King Rama IV as the memorial of Angkor Wat and Cambodia which was ruled by Siam long time ago.

The Phra Sri Ratana Chedi, Phra Mondop, Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn and Miniature Angkor Wat are four main monuments found on the Upper Terrace. When we walked around the Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn (The Royal Pantheon), we noticed the chedi below:

Phra Asada Maha Chedi

I did not know what was it during my visit, just noticed there are total eight similar chedi in one row. After search from net, they discovered that this group of chedi was built in reign of King Rama I and each of the chedi is having different color and dedicated to certain concept or specific element of Buddhism.

After visited most of buildings that having legendary or religious background, we then move towards another section of The Grand Palace. On the way, we saw the guards below:

Most of visitors were too excited seeing the guard in smart uniform and took turn to take photo with them. I was also joining in until forgot to snapshot on the building they guarded. In fact, they were guarding the Borom Phiman Mansion but it was closed and tourist not allow to visit it. This western style mansion was built in 1903 by King Rama V. Now it is served as the Royal Guest House for visiting Head of State and guests of Their Majesties.

From there, we entered the Audience Hall of Amarindra Winitchai. The Audience Hall was built in 1785 during the reign of King Rama I. There is a grand throne in the hall, not to miss it. But unfortunately we not allowed to take photo in the hall..so please take a look during your visit. Remember to remove you cap before enter the hall.

Then we took this gate which linked to the section where Chakri Maha Prasat Hall.

And this is the Chakri Maha Prasat Hall....

Chakri Maha Prasat Hall

Chakri Maha Prasat Hall

Chakri Maha Prasat Hall was built by King Rama V and completed in 1882. It is the biggest hall within The Grand Palace. The architectural design of this hall looked like combining the western and traditional Thai style. The Chakri Maha Prasat Hall consists of the Central Throne Hall and the two wings.

After that we proceed to The Dusit Maha Prasat Hall. Same to most of the hall requirement, no cap and no photo/video shooting.

The Dusit Maha Prasat Hall

The Dusit Maha Prasat Hall was built by King Rama I. The principle function of this hall has been and still is a hall for the lying-in-states of kings, queens and honoured members of the royal family. It is also used for the annual Coronation Day Ceremony.

Before we left, I noticed the Aphorn Phimok Prasat Pavilion. Hence took a photo with it.

Aphorn Phimok Prasat Pavilion

This Aphorn Phimok Prasat Pavilion was built by King Rama IV as a robing pavilion for the king to change his regalia when entering the Maha Prasat premises. It is also as the king's royal palaquin mounting platform.

Although there were some other areas where we yet to take a look, but we decided to end our visit here. After that, we went to the Queen Sirikit Museum Shop to buy some souvenir before we step out from the compound of The Grand Palace.

After all, I was enjoying in The Grand Palace, the compound with buildings that full of legend and history.  But I strongly recommend the new visitors to engage a tour guide (those who station within the compound, but not outside the palace) to help you understand the history and unique of the building so that you could appreciate more on the architectures. Besides, the palace is really big and some structures looks similar, you may lost and confused whether there is any other areas that yet to visit. We were so regret we did not hire a guide. Last but not least, we roughly spent two hours for our entire visit. Enjoy!!

Related Post:
Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part I
Bangkok 2013-Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)
How to go to The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha