Bangkok's city pillar shrine (also known as san lak muang) is one of the most
ancient, sacred, and magnificent city pillar shrines in Thailand.
It is believed that people will achieve prosperity and fulfillment in their
work and career, avoid misfortune, and improve their luck, power, and prestige
if they bow and pay their respects at this sacred place.
The shrine is in the heart of Bangkok, opposite the grand palace in the
southeast corner of the Sanam Luang and close to the Ministry of Defence.
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Sanctuary seen from the southwest.
Lak mueang are city pillars found in most cities of Thailand.
Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak
Mueang, the city spirit deity.
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It was constructed because the continuation of ancient traditions and
Brahman's customs believed that it has something to do with the Held,
the single city pillar ceremony (Held “Lak Muang”) which is made of an
Acacia wood Chaiyaphreuk before the construction of the city for a
major goal to build a city and to be the centre of soul for the
citizens.
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It was probably King Rama I who erected the first city pillar on 21
April 1782, when he moved his capital from Thonburi to Bangkok.
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The shrine was the first building in his new capital, the palace and
other buildings being constructed later.
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Sanctuary seen from the northwest.
According to a historian, the shrine was built after the establishment
of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (Bangkok) to replace the old capital of the
Thonburi Kingdom during the reign of King Rama I of the Chakri dynasty
at 06:45, Sunday, 21 April 1782.
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It was constructed according to ancient traditions such as the
Brahmans' belief in the held, the single city pillar ceremony (held
"lak muang"), in which a pillar of acacia wood (chaiyapreuk) was
erected before the effort of constructing the city began.
- It was intended to be the spiritual centre for Thai citizens.
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Sanctuary seen from the northwest.
"Chaiyapreuk" (acacia) means "victory tree". This wood was used by the
Thais to build a pillar 270 centimeters (110 in) high, buried 200
centimeters (79 in) deep, making a total height of 470 centimeters (190
in) and 74 centimeters (29 in.) in diameter. Inside was a horoscope for
Bangkok.
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However, the shrine was renovated several times during the reigns of
kings Rama IV and Mongkut, and then fell into disrepair. The king then
ordered the excavation of the old pillar and the construction of a
replacement, with a new city horoscope placed inside. In 1852 the new
pillar was installed, measuring 5,115 meters (201.4 in) high, 47
centimeters (18.8 in) in diameter at the bottom, with a base 180
centimeters (71 in) wide. The old and new pillars were moved to a
renovated pavilion with a tower (prang) modeled on the Ayudhya shrine.
The shrine was completed on Sunday, May 1, 1853.
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In 1980, in preparation for the celebration of Rattanakosin's 200th
birthday in 1982, Bangkok's city pillar shrine underwent renovations,
including the addition of arches to house a guardian deity of five
cities that is popularly worshiped in Tai folk religion and Hinduism,
such as Kala and Chitragupta.
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Sanctuary seen from the northwest.
According to the In–Chan–Mun–Kong legend of the shrine, Thai locals
believed that the construction of the shrine required the sacrifice of
four people after the proclamation of the words "in–chan–mun–kong" all
over the city ("in" from the north, "chan" from the south, "mun" from
the east, and "kong" from the west).
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Anyone who responded was captured, brought to the ceremonial location,
and buried in a hole. Their spirits would guard and protect the city.
This is only a myth and is not recorded in the chronicles.
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People usually use three incense sticks, one candle, gold foil, two
lotus flowers, two flower garlands, and one three-colour taffeta to
worship at the shrine.
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Crows bathing in Sanam Luang park.
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See also
Source
Location
