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Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Loi Krathong Festival 2008

Loi Krathong Festival 2008 - Date : 8 - 12 November 2008

“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Krungthon Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.

View the illuminated boat procession , Loi Krathong activities as well as illuminated buildings and historical sites on both sides of the Chao Phraya River.

Venue : Santi Chai Prakarn, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok

Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand

Website : www.loikrathong.net, www.tourismthailand.org

History of Wat Na Phramane, Picture

History of Wat Na Phramane

Local known as Wat Na Phramane, The temple was built in A.D.1503 by Angel indra in the Reign of King Ramathibodee II, The tenth throne of Ayutthaya, named Wat Phramerurachikaram. It is the roral Aram of the third rank, Ordinary type.

The temple has marked a historical event in the reign of King Maha Jakrapad. He chose it as a meeting place to stop the war in A.D.1563. And another event happened in A.D.1760 when King Alongphaya of Burma comes to attack Ayutthaya. The Burmese soldiers had installed cannon at Wat Na Phramane and Wat Hassadawad (Wat Chang). King Alongphaya commanded the troop and fired the cannon by himself. Un fortunately the cannon exploded and The King was seriously injured. So the troop had to be withdrawn to the noethern direction No sooner had the troop left Tak than The King passed away.

With the sanctity of Phra Buddha Nimitwichitmara Molee Srisanphet Boromtrikokanat, The Main Buddha image in Phra Ubosot, It has long been believed to help save Ayutthaya from It’s enemy always. Furthermore the Buddha image is still in the same condition as it was once as Well as the temple which is the only one was not sacked by Burmese. Hence, It’s worthwhile visiting and appreciating its historical splendors.

Place and Object of Attraction

1. Phra Budha Nimitwichitmara Molee Srisanphet Borom Trilokanat, The main Buddha image cast in bronze then lacquered and covered with gold plate is in the style of subduing Mara clad in Kingly decorations, It is nine soks (arm-length measure) wide from one end to the other of its Lap and six meters high. It is one biggest decorated Buddha image Built in the early period of Ayutthaya. It’s shape is so splendid with the explicit name of holiness and sacredness to respect for those of the three worlds.

2. Phra Khandhararat, Dvaravati period, Is the biggest stone Buddha image aged around 1,500 year old with 1.7 meters wide in lapand 5.2 meters high. The image was carved out of green sand stone in sitting position on the seat of first preaching style. It was recorded that it was removed for Sri Lanka when Phra Ubalee and the Buddhis delegates of Siamese sect went to establish Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Then Phraya Chaiwichit removed it here from Wat Maha Tat in the isle of Ayutthaya

3. Phra Ubosot was built in the early Ayutthaya architectural style. From the outside it looks like the shape of a samp an with 16 meters in width and 50 meters in length. The gable of the front, Entrance was carved out of teak wood in the design of God Naraya on Garuda stepping on Naga’s Head. On both sides of naga’s head are two Rahu. The scene is surrounded by 26 praying angles. From the inside there are two roes of sixteen octagonal posts with lotus cornice which is typical of Ayutthaya style. The ceiling was also carved out of teak wood in the pattern of beautiful complex layers of stars.

Google Earth Map - Wat Na Phramane

History - Wat Lokaya Sutha

Wat Lokaya Sutha

This Temple is situated to the west of the Ayutthaya Grand Royal Palace. No evidence has been found to indicate when it was built. Only comparative study of art style of the temple mail prang reflects early period of Ayutthaya arts.

In front of the main Prang to the east locating with groups of Vihara buildings while behind the Prang is the Ubosot building being surrounded with gallery and the Ubosot itself is also decorated with chides at four corners.

The main shrine of this temple here a brick and mortar image of Reclining Buddha in Ayutthaya Style. The Buddha image is about 42 meters long and 8 meters high It underwent a restoration in A.D. 1956. This Buddha image is under the vihara roof.

Phra Vihan Luang, Wat Phra Si San Phet @ Picture, Map

Phra Vihan Luang

Wat Phra Si San Phet @ Picture, Map

History - Phra Vihan Luang in Wat Phra Si San Phet

History - Phra Vihan Luang in Wat Phra Si San Phet

Phra Vihan Luang is the Vihara building located in Wat Phra Si San Phet temple. The building was built in 1499 by King Rama Thibodi II, King No. 10 of Ayutthaya Kingdom. A year later, the king built an enormous image of standing Buddha inside the vihara. The image was 16 meters high; the face itself is 2 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. A total of 171.6 kilos of gold was used to cover the image. It was given the name “Phra Si San Phet”. When the enemy overran Ayutthaya in A.D. 1767, the temple was burnt down and the gold was removed from the standing Buddha image. King Rama I of Bangkok had the remains of the image moved to Bangkok and put inside the Phra Si San Phet Chedi in Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok.

The architectural aspect of the building reveals Ayutthaya of Thai Classical style. The vihara is a brick and mortar rectangular building. There are round columns with lotus bud capitals, only 2 complete columns left over. The vihara is covered with three layers of roofs that have a corbelled shape.

Phra Vihan Luang was renovated two times, firstly in the reign of King Prasat Thong and secondly in the reign of King Boroma Gote.

Phra Mongkhon Bophit @ Picture, Map

Phra Mongkhon Bophit @ Picture, Map

History of Phra Mongkhon Bophit

Phra Mongkhon Bophit is one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand. The image measures 9.55 metres at the widest point across the lap, and 12.45 metres high without the base This Buddha images is seated in the position of subduing mara and situated on the west side of the old palace compound in the Vihara of Phra Mongkhon Bophit temple. The image is believed to have been constructed in the early Ayutthaya period between 1448 to 1602 A.D. and was originally situated at the east side and a Mondop was built to shelter it. During the reign of King Phra Chao Sua (1706 A.D.) the top part of the Mondop and the head of the image were damaged by lightning. The Mondop was converted into a Vihara and the main restoration of Phra Mongkhon Bophit was completed during the reign of King BoromaKote (1742 – 1743 A.D.)

During the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767. the roof of the Vihara was damaged by fire and the head and the right arm of the image were broken. Later, the image was repaired and the Vihara was completely restored again in 1956.

On 23rd March 1990, the Supreme Patriarch presided over a candle lighting ceremony in front of the image and announced that people could honour the image by covering it with gold leaf. H.M. Queen Sirikit auspiciously paid homage to the image and donated Baht 70,000 to the restoration fund. Henceforward, the Mongkhon Bophit Foundation undertook to cover the image with gold leaf in celebration of the 60th birthday of H.M. Queen Sirikit.

History - Wat Ayothaya @ Picture, Map

History - Wat Ayothaya

The Chronical mentioned that Wat Ayothaya was builting before the Ayutthaya period. It was the temple of the Royal Palace of "Ayothaya city". The ancient monument Wat Ayothaya is no record of the date of its construction studies on the evidence from the archaeological excavation and the remains such as Chedi and retnue chedis, recommend that this temple date back to the middle of Ayutthaya period or about the 15th - 16th century.

Wat Pradu SongTham @ Picture, Map

Art of Fresco in Wat Pradu SongTham

Google Earth Map

Wat Samanakot Tharam - Ayudthaya

Wat Samanakot Tharam

The Bell-shaped Chedi

From its bell-shaped form and the decoration on the throne, it is assumed that this Chedi was restored during the 18th century A.D. It was probably in the reign of King Narai the great.