Bangkok must have hundreds of temples and shrines, so any attempt to cover them would be a rather tedious task. Therefore we set out to explore some of the not so much explorerd ones.
The first one is Wat Mahatat and can be reached when branching away from the crowds heading to the Royal Palace to the left around the corner.
Inside it is tranquil and every wall oozes peacefulness
Quite many monks live there and it is a school as well
Famous for its line of Buddhas
Not so famous but still nice are the pigeons
And some attempts by the gardener to have some fun as well
It seems this animal was more known
I like the mix of old and new
As written – peaceful
You are quite alone – even on a Sunday where everybody flocks in the Palace
More sedate
Old tables
Well, this happens after long hours of service – your tail falls off
Quite imposing architecture, too
I love the spikes
and roofs
the „naga“ (mythological snake) is everywhere
a bit closer
roof supports the other way
Quite tall buildings, too
very elegantly built
Ursi was so tired she just relaxed there in the relative coolness of the stairs and shade
the lamps are just nice
so elegant
something must be rather interesting up there…
But it wouldn’t be Bangkok if this air of holiness and sublime environment would be kept up too long… The cabling and everyday chores always bring you back very soon
Life is hard and making a living even harder so you have to sell what you can…
down the road to the next temple you can find all kind of religious shops
where – with some luck – you see the model and the sculpture and one image
again… This time the less ascetic version…
As it was murderously hot people had a snooze in the shade
and we got some beer (illegally as you are prohibited to buy from 14:00 – 17:00) in the pharmacy (no kidding – the only request was to use the prescription bags)
Entering the second temple (Wat Suthat) we were shocked to see the workers without any support in flip-flops jumping around the roof. No wonder accidents are very often fatal…
Nether the less, back to sedate mode…
A patchwork horse
and the beloved roofs
door in door in door
Well, you cannot get more…
Perhaps…
Interesting sculptures – no idea though about the theological meaning but it is just joyful to see
Flat faced lion – new (temple) breed
Seeing the new monument of admiration through the window of the old
Rapair works
I couldn’t resist
Sheer beauty
the upper entry
guards to ward off evil spirits? (just an assumption…)
Take off your shoes before entering – you become selective if you have to do it 20 times a day…
A woman preparing a new statue
Guilding it actually
Fine layers of gold are applied to the stone
Which is cleaned and smeared in with a paste
As women are not allowed to touch the head of a Buddha / Boddhisatva (for sure some reformation – not only for these issues – is needed in that patriarchial society) I was asked to apply some leafs. I duly complied with the request and it was fun…
Another temple lion
monster fish
Best are the translations. Here Google translate went over the board and you just have to laugh…
This is among the best we have ever seen
And this one… gibberish at its best
Kommentar verfassen