Wat Suthat Traditional Cache
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Wat Suthat and the Giant swing
This temple is among the oldest and largest in Bangkok, and Somerset Maugham declared its roofline the most beautiful.
Wat Suthat Thepphawararam (Thai: วัดสุทัศนเทพวราราม, Thai pronunciation: [wát su.tʰát tʰêːp.pʰa.wáʔraːraːm]) is a royal temple of the first grade, one of ten such temples in Bangkok (23 in Thailand). Construction was begun by His Majesty King Rama I in 1807 (B.E. 2350). Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Rama II who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Rama III in 1847 (B.E.2390). This temple contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or "Sisakayamunee" which moved from Sukhothai province. At the lower terrace of the base, there are 28 Chinese pagodas which mean the 28 Buddhas born on this earth. Wat Suthat also contains Phra Buddha Trilokachet in the Ubosot (Ordinary Hall) and Phra Buddha Setthamuni in Sala Kan Parien (Meeting Hall)
The ashes of King Rama VIII, Ananda Mahidol, brother of the current king, are contained in its base. The wall paintings for which it is known were created during Rama III's reign. Outside the viharn stand many Chinese pagodas, bronze horses, and figures of Chinese soldiers.
The most important religious association, however, is with the Brahman priests who officiate at important state ceremonies, and there are two Hindu shrines nearby. To the northwest, across the street, is the Deva Sathan, which contains images of Shiva and Ganesh; and to the east, the smaller Saan Jao Phitsanu is dedicated to Vishnu.
The huge teak arch -- also carved by Rama II -- in front is all that remains of an original giant swing, which was used until 1932 to celebrate and thank Shiva for a bountiful rice harvest, and to ask for the god's blessing on the next. The Minister of Rice, accompanied by hundreds of Brahman holy men, would lead a parade around the city walls to the temple precinct. Teams of men would ride the swing on arcs as high as 25m (82 ft.) in the air, trying to grab a bag of silver coins with their teeth. Due to injuries and deaths, the dangerous swing ceremony has been discontinued, but the thanksgiving festival is still celebrated in mid-December, after the rice harvest.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Urnq urvtug zntargvp crqrfgevna fvta.
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