Prasat (Thai architecture)

A prasat (Thai: ปราสาท, from Sanskrit: prāsāda), or more accurately, kudakhan (กุฎาคาร, from Pali/Sanskrit: kūṭāgāra) or rueanyot (เรือนยอด), is a Thai architectural form reserved for royal palaces of the monarch or for sacred religious structures. It is a building featuring an ornate roof structure, usually multi-tiered, with one or more spires. The form symbolizes the centre of the universe, which is traditionally associated with the monarch or the Buddha.[1][2] Prasat forms are widely used in the buildings of the Grand Palace, and are also found in some Buddhist temples and in the architecture of the temporary crematoria used for royal funerals.

The Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace is a prominent example of the prasat form.

Architectural historians have classified kudakhan into several categories, according to the shape of the spire: mondop-shaped, prang-shaped, mongkut-shaped, and others (including stupa-shaped and phra kiao–shaped, depending on the author).[2][3]

Mondop-shaped
  • Sutthaisawan Prasat Throne Hall, Grand Palace
  • Aphon Phimok Prasat Pavilion, Grand Palace
  • Rueanyot Borom Mangkhalanusorani, Dusit Palace
  • Aisawan Thipphaya-at Pavilion, Bang Pa-in Palace
  • Royal crematorium of Princess Bejaratana
  • Loha Prasat, Wat Ratchanatdaram

Prang-shaped
  • Wetchayan Wichian Prasat Throne Hall, Phra Nakhon Khiri
  • Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, Wat Phra Kaew
  • Wat Phichayayatikaram

Mongkut-shaped
  • Wihan Yot, Wat Phra Kaew
  • Phra Mondop, Wat Pho

See also

References
  1. Royal Society. พจนานุกรมฉบับราชบัณฑิตยสถาน [Royal Institute Dictionary] (in Thai).
  2. Pastraporn Keanprom (2014). "รูปแบบพระปรางค์และสถาปัตยกรรมที่มียอดปรางค์ในรัชกาลที่ 4–6" [Architectural Style of phra prangs and steeple prangs during the Reign of King Rama IV-VI]. NAJUA: History of Architecture and Thai Architecture (in Thai). 11: 226–253. ISSN 2697-3901. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  3. Athit Limmun (2005). การศึกษากุฎาคารในสมัยรัตนโกสินทร์ [A study on kudakhan in the Rattanakosin period] (PDF) (Master's thesis) (in Thai). Chulalongkorn University. ISBN 974-53-2626-7.
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