Indiana Jones and the Emerald Buddha

Best of IgoUgo

A travel journal to Thailand by SeenThat

Quote: A treasure big enough to fight wars over it; emotional enough to burn down cities for its sake. A treasure small enough to fit in a pocket while exiting an oriental temple. My treasure... where is Frodo?

7 Photos

Wat Chedi Luang

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Attraction | "Chiang Mai: Wat Chedi Luang "

Wat Chedi Luang Photo - Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Quote:

What gives a talisman its power? The last is undeniable in the case of the Emerald Buddha; for centuries people died in attempts to defend or capture it. Is it an immemorial origin half buried in the fog of legends? Is it strange events leading to its disappearance and even stranger ones related to its re-apparition? Or maybe it is due to the rare materials used for its construction. Certainly the power is not related to its physical size, since the Emerald Buddha is tiny.A talisman does not exist in a vacuum; it is part of a given culture and must thus be closely related to its symbols, history and beliefs in order to be considered valuable. Thus its power lies in its capability to repres...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 11, 2008

Wat Chedi Luang
Phrapokklao Road within the old city
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50100
+66 53 248 604 (Tour

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Temple of the Emerald Buddha/Wat Phra Kaeo

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Attraction | "Chiang Rai: Wat Phra Keo"

Wat Phra Keo Photo - Temple of the Emerald Buddha/Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok, Thailand

Quote:

In many Asian cultures history is not important. Records from past eras are sketchy or inexistent. In those places, cities and cultures seem to have appeared from nowhere and after a while to have returned there without any obvious reason. There are two obvious exceptions: The Chinese and the Thai.In those cultures, every little administrative detail is recorded with excruciating detail. Hierarchical status of people and buildings are described until a Western mind gets lost; ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 11, 2008

Temple of the Emerald Buddha/Wat Phra Kaeo
Grounds Of The Royal Palace
Bangkok, Thailand
02222-0094

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Lampang: Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao

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Attraction

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, Lampang Photo - Thailand, Asia

Quote:

An Unusual StopIn the Emerald Buddha history, Lampang was the only a priori temporary stop. Yet following not completely clear circumstances it stayed there for several years instead of a few nights along the way from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai.The temporary status is pretty obvious just by looking at the Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao location. Elsewhere, the Emerald Buddha got an honourable spot at the very centre of downtown; in...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 12, 2008

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Bangkok: Wat Phrae Kaeo

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Attraction

Phra Kaeo Morakot - The Emerald Buddha Photo - Bangkok, Thailand

Quote:

The only way to really appreciate and enjoy the first sight of the Emerald Buddha is by keeping it for the end of this quest. Only then the tiny figure - placed almost out of sight atop an elaborated altar and eternally surrounded by a crowd of worshippers - can make sense.For the benefit of the many travelers visiting Bangkok, the Royal Palace is within walking distance from Khaosan Road; there awaits the Emerald Buddha itself.PracticalitiesThe palace compound charges an admission fee from foreigners only, Thais enter free for no clear reason. The ticke...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 12, 2008

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The Emerald Buddha - Phra Kaew Morakot

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Story/Tip

Quote:

The StatueThe Emerald Buddha is a 45cm tall green jade image that has become the talisman of the Chakri Dynasty in Thailand. Nowadays it is stored at the Wat Phra Kaew temple within the Bangkok Grand Palace and can be easily visited. Its diminutive size - emphasized by its position high above the temple's floor - hides an intriguing story that seems to be the inspiration for the Indiana Jones adventures.The ClothesThe statue is kept clothed with gold garments. There are three sets, each one fit for a different one of the three ...Read More