Dates for Changing the Costume of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok

The Emerald Buddha is the most important Buddha image in Thailand. It is adorned with three different sets of gold seasonal costume; two were made by Rama I, one for the summer and one for the rainy season, and a third made by Rama III for the winter or cool season. The clothes are changed by the King of Thailand in a ceremony at the changing of the seasons – on the 1st Waning of lunar months 4, 8 and 12 (around March, August and November). On these days, the Emerald Buddha chapel is closed all day, though the temple grounds remain open for visitors. The Grand Palace closes at noon.

  • Changing Winter to Summer: 9th March 2020 (แรม ๑ ค่ำ เดือนสี่)
  • Changing Summer to Rainy: 6th July 2020 (แรม ๑ ค่ำ เดือนแปด)
  • Changing Rainy to Winter: 1st November 2020 (แรม ๑ ค่ำ เดือนสิบสอง)

For the three seasons, the three set of costumes for the Emerald Buddha:

  • Hot/summer season (left) – a stepped, pointed headpiece; a breast pendant; a sash; a number of armlets, bracelets and other items of royal attire. All items are made of enameled gold and embedded with precious and semi-precious stones.
  • Rainy season (middle) – a pointed headpiece of enameled gold studded with sapphires; a gold-embossed monk’s robe draped over one shoulder.
  • Cool/winter season (right) – a gold headpiece studded with diamonds; a jewel-fringed gold-mesh shawl draped over the rainy season attire.

The sets of gold clothing not in use are kept on display in the nearby Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Thai Coins on the grounds of the Grand Palace, where the public may view them.

Source: Wikipedia

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