Bangkok City Pillar Shrine

"The City Pillar Shrine, located near Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok, is a revered historical site with deep cultural and spiritual significance. Constructed in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I, the shrine houses the City Pillar, which was raised as part of a royal ceremony marking the establishment of Bangkok as the capital of Thailand. The original pillar was made from Javanese Cassia wood with a sandalwood exterior, topped with a lotus shape. It was placed at the center of the newly established city, which was then named "Krung Rattanakosin In Ayothaya," later known simply as Bangkok. In 1851, during the reign of King Rama IV, the original pillar was replaced with a new one, crafted from teak wood and adorned with Javanese Cassia wood. The new pillar was topped with a crown-shaped structure and was intended to symbolize the prosperity of the nation and its people under the monarchy. The shrine also houses the Thepharak Shrine, dedicated to the five guardians: Phra Suea Mueang, Phra Song Mueang, Phra Kan Chai Si, Chaopho Chetakhup, and Ho Phra Phuttha Rup, who are believed to protect the city. The City Pillar Shrine is open daily from 06:30 to 18:00 hours. It is a significant cultural and spiritual landmark for the Thai people, with deep historical roots tied to the nation's identity."