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Gerry Gantt Nature & Scenic Photography | profile | all galleries >> Thailand ประเทศไทย >> Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), Thailand >> Pathum Wan District เขตปทุมวัน >> Wat Saket and Temple of the Golden Mount วัดสระเกศ tree view | thumbnails | slideshow | map

Wat Saket and Temple of the Golden Mount วัดสระเกศ

Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wiharn, วัดสระเกศราชวรมหาวิหาร, has on its west side the Golden Mount or Phu Khao Thong (ภูเขาทอง). The steep climb up the Golden Mount is intended to put everything back in perspective and offers views over Rattanakosin Island that are simply stunning. The artificial hill was created when a large Chedi under construction by King Rama III collapsed because the soft soil beneath would not support it. The resulting mud-and-brick hill was left to sprout weeds until King Rama IV built a small Chedi on its crest.
King Rama V later added to the structure and housed a Buddha relic from India in the Chedi. The concrete walls were added during World War II to prevent the hill from eroding. Every November a large festival, held on the ground of Wat Saket, includes a candlelight procession up the Golden Mount.
Temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kaho Thong) from Wat Saket  (DTHB030)
Temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kaho Thong) from Wat Saket (DTHB030)
Temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kaho Thong) (DTHB028)
Temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kaho Thong) (DTHB028)
Temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kaho Thong) from Wat Saket (DTHB029)
Temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kaho Thong) from Wat Saket (DTHB029)
Wat Saket Sema Stones  (DTHB032)
Wat Saket Sema Stones (DTHB032)
Wat Saket Inner Courtyard (DTHB033)
Wat Saket Inner Courtyard (DTHB033)
Wat Saket Ubosot Gable (DTHB035)
Wat Saket Ubosot Gable (DTHB035)