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In 1434, lightning struck the chedi at the temple known as Wat Pa Yiah in Chiang Rai, cracking it open to reveal Thailand’s most sacred treasure – The Emerald Buddha encased inside. This is the moment that started the journey of the Emerald Buddha that took centuries to find itself in it’s new home – Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok’s Grand Palace, thus why Wat Pa Yia was known by the same name.
Wat Phra Kaew is Chiang Rai’s most sacred temple, and in 1978, the King upgraded it to the third common-class royal temple.
At the front of the temple is the main Ubosot, built in 1890 and containing a 600 year old bronze Buddha image.
Entrance to the ubosot
Inside the ubosot
The 600 year old Bronze Buddha
Next to the ubosot is a beautiful two story teak building that is used as a museum that houses many interesting religious artifacts.
A shrine on the exterior of the museum
A wooden Buddha statue in the museum
A shrine and other treasures inside the museum
A carving inside the museum
Beautiful gardens surround all of the buildings in the temple, and located behind the main ubosot is the restored octagonal chedi where the Emerald Buddha was found all of those centuries ago.
Orchids in the gardens
The golden chedi
Walking through to the back of the temple, you will come to another wooden building. This is the hall that houses the replica of the Emerald Buddha.
The building that houses the replica of the Emerald Buddha
Turtles in the pond next to the building
The Emerald Buddha replica
The roof in the Emerald Buddha hall
Details on the pedestal of the Emerald Buddha
Artwork on the wall
Wat Phra Kaew is a beautiful temple in Chiang Rai that has a lot of history. It’s definitely worth taking some time to explore.
OMG, since then, I am in love with pagoda and this one is amazing. I love the photos too 🙂
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Glad you liked it Doc. Cheers
[…] Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai, Thailand, is the city’s most sacred temple due to it being the origin of the journey of the Emerald Buddha – Thailand’s most sacred treasure. Located in the temple’s ubosot (main shrine) is this ancient Bronze Buddha which is believed to be over 600 years old. I was quite impressed by the beauty of the shrine when I entered the ubosot, and this ancient Buddha certainly has a significant presence in the room. […]