Wat Pho will kick off a 10-day temple fair tomorrow to celebrate its longevity.
Called the Grand Festival Commemorating the 230th Anniversary of Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho), the event will feature traditional performances, shadow plays, mini-concerts, a food fair and art exhibition.
Built during the Ayutthaya period, the temple was renovated by King Rama I of the present Chakri Dynasty in 1788 -- six years after the king moved the capital from Thon Buri to the east side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok in 1782.
Located on a 51.2 rai site on Sanam Chai Road south of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho has been known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage and a cradle of education since the period of King Rama III. The king collected old Thai wisdom ranging from Buddhist precepts, literary works, traditional medicine and massaging therapy, history and poems, and had them inscribed on 1,440 marble stone tablets.
The inscriptions, known as the Epigraphic Archives of Wat Pho, are placed around the ceremonial hall and nearby pavilions. In 2008, the stone tablets were recognised by Unesco as a Memory of the World for Asia and Pacific Region.
Today, Wat Pho is classified as a first-rate royal temple. It is also regarded as the royal temple of King Rama I, as some ashes of the king were kept under the pedestal of the principal Buddha image known as Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn in the main chapel.
The temple is listed among the top must-visit destinations in Bangkok. It is famous for the 46m-long reclining Buddha statue, built in the period of King Rama III, as well as the Thai traditional medicine and massage clinic.
To honour the old wisdom, the grand festival will highlight the beauty and glory years of Wat Pho. The event will also bring back rare shows dating to the Ayutthaya period -- shows of kula ti mai and mong khrum -- played by the people in royal court.
Visitors will also have a chance to see khon performances, traditional Thai musical shows of likay and lamtad. There will also be a daily forum from 5.30-6.30pm. Topics will relate to culture and historical records at Wat Pho.
If you want to join the fair, the temple has a campaign asking visitors to wear traditional Thai dress.
The Grand Festival Commemorating the 230th Anniversary of Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) will be run from tomorrow until Nov 10, 10am-10pm.
For more information, visit watpho.com
