Image1: Young monks at the Grand Palace
Image 2: At the Golden Buddha's Temple
Image 3: Artistic stonework at the Grand Palace
Image 4: Gaurding the Jade Buddha
Image 5: The Golden BuddhaImage Copyright: Tanya Munshi
Text by: Tanya Munshi
I fell in love with Bangkok the moment I stepped into the city. Right from the airport till my hotel, I was amazed to see a city so neat, clean and bustling with life. More importantly, I liked how everyone in the city were well dressed, hair neatly combed and whatever they wore looked so trendy and classy on them. It was picture perfect.
Bangkok has the very famous 'Bank of Ayutthaya', where the Garuda is the symbol of wealth and if you're looking out for a bank in Thailand, look for a Garuda hoisted on the building and you'll know you're looking at one.
Most schools in Thailand have Pali and Sanskrit - two of the most ancient languages in their curriculum, so you can imagine how deeply rooted they are in their culture. Their main deity is the four faced Lord Indra and I really liked how the locals would buy flowers, fruits or incense outside the shrine to offer it to the Lord.
The Grand Palace
I had a chance to visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok and it was absolutely mesmerising. Our guide - Michael was a soldier in the Thai Army, is now a mathematics professor and a part time tour guide in Bangkok.
We visited The Grand Palace in the morning and I didn't want to leave the place. The weather was balmy, the sun was just right and the colours and hues at the Palace gardens were enthralling. The intricate mirror work on the temples within the Grand Palace held a more deeper meaning than adding beauty. It is believed that when evil strikes at one's home, having a mirror at the entrance or outside the house scares the evil away as it sees it's own reflection. You may not want to wear your sun glasses because of the sun, but the dazzling colours on the temples and shrines.
The Reclining Buddha
Its absolutely awe-inspiring and has a strange calming effect when you walk into the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This 30-feet long Reclining Buddha, will create a strange sense of peace within you. When you walk up to His feet, you'll find intricate designs made with Mother of Pearls.
Golden Buddha
What appeals to me about visiting the shrines of the Buddha is that it has a way of bringing out the humbleness within you. No matter what faith, race or origin you belong to, apart from the calm within you heart, it creates a sublime sense of self-realization before the Buddha.
