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Dusit Hall, Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
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Dusit Hall was
constructed by King Rama I in 1789 on the site of an audience hall which was
struck by lightning and burnt down during the early years of his reign. The throne hall is built in the shape of a cross. Its four wings are covered with four-tiered roofs from the center of which rises a beautiful nine-tiered prasat spire, the base of which is supported by four Garudas clasping Nagas. Its north wing leads to a window-throne for formal outdoor receptions which is now seldom used, the last occasion being when King Rama VI received the oath of fealty from the court after his coronation in 1911. Inside the hall are a throne inlaid with mother-of-pearl, surmounted by a nine-tiered white canopy and a bed inlaid also with mother-of-pearl, today used as an altar. In the south wing is a window in the form of a throne built by King Mongkut (King Rama IV) rather resembling King Narai's throne in the Palace at Lopburi. The interior walls are painted with delicate designs. The hall communicates with an apartment called "Phiman Rataya", situated in a garden. Dusit Hall is noted for its pure style and dignified simplicity. This hall was used for coronations, formal audiences and for the revision of the Buddhist scriptures. Since the death of King Rama I, it has been the place for lying-in-state. It is also used for certain royal functions like merit making. One of the special ceremonies that takes place here annually is the commemoration of coronation day. King Rama III used to give audience here to the Court while he resided at Phra Maha Prasat during the renovation of his regular residence. |
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Scenic
Photography by Gerry Gantt from Thailand, the land of Golden Wats. All images Copyright © 1999-2010 by Gerry Gantt, all rights reserved. |
