Page 32 - The Royal Coronation Ceremony

The Elements of the Royal Coronation Ceremony

Evidence shows that the elements of the Royal Coronation Ceremony during the Rattanakosin period have been divided
into four stages. These are the preparations for the royal ceremony, the preliminary royal ceremonies, the primary royal coronation
ceremonies, and the final royal ceremonies. The sequence and details of each ceremony has been adapted as appropriate
within the social context of each period. Informative details about the elements of the Ceremony follow.

The Preparations for the Royal Ceremony combined, and blessed to be used as sacred water for
In preparation for the ceremony to occur, the following ablution of the king in the Purification Ceremony and again
activities need to be arranged. First, there is the gathering of in the Anointment Ceremony during the Royal Coronation
the waters to be blessed and used for the sacred water in the Ceremony. According to the ancient Brahmanism textbook,
Ablution and Anointment Ceremonies. Then, pedestals and the water for the Anointment Ceremony must come from the
stages are to be prepared for the setting up of the Water of five main streams in South Asia, or in the country of India to be
Ablution and the Sacred Water of Anointment Ceremonies and specific. These main streams are: the Ganges, also known as
for their presentation to the King. The Royal Golden Plaque Ganga, Mahi River, the Yamuna, also known as the Jumna,
with the inscription of the King’s official title and the Royal the Rapti River, also known as Aciravati and Sarabhu River,
Golden Plaque of His Royal Horoscope must be ready. The also known as Sarayu. In the Brahmanism-Hinduism religion,
Royal Seal of State must be engraved. Finally, the engraved these five main streams flow down from Mount Kailasa, the
ceremonial objects must be in place and the whole ceremonial abode of Isvara, and therefore, the water becomes sacred
compound must be checked for readiness. and divine to be used in royal ceremonies of the Purification
Ceremony, the Anointment Ceremony and where holy water
is sprinkled in religious ceremonies. Dating from the days of
The Preparation of Sacred Water for Ablution, the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods, there are no records
or “Song Phra Muratha Bhisek,” that mention the bringing of sacred water from the five main
and Anointment, or “Abhisek.” streams of India for use in the Royal Coronation Ceremony.
The earliest process in the preparation of However, in the Rattanakosin period, during the reigns from
the Royal Coronation Ceremony is to collect water from King Rama I to King Rama IV, the record shows that the
different important sources in the Kingdom. These are water for Ablution used in the Royal Purification Ceremony

Bang Pakong River the Pasak River

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The Royal Coronation Ceremony