Anantanagaraj Royal Barge
The Anantanagaraj Royal Barge was first built during the reign of King Rama III, but was first used in the Royal Barge Procession during the reign of King Rama IV. The current vessel was built during the reign of King Rama VI and was first used on April 15, 1914.
“Anantanagaraj Royal Barge” comes from three Sanskrit words: “Ananta,” meaning eternal, “Naga,” meaning serpent, and “Raja,” meaning king. Together, they mean “the Eternal King of the Nagas.”
The exterior of the hull is painted green, with carved scroll patterns gilded and decorated with green glass mosaics. Along the length of the barge are intricate, gracefully moving nāgas, their heads facing the figurehead. The exterior is decorated with blue glass mosaics, symbolizing the monarchy, while the inside of the hull is painted red.
The figurehead is gilded and decorated with glass, depicting Anantanakkharat, the seven-headed nāga. The chest strap is adorned with a Krachang Patiyan pattern, with figures of deities in a gesture of worship decorating the inner sections around the belt.
Busabok is placed in the middle of the barge to hold a Buddha image or Kathina robes. The Anantanagaraj Royal Barge is generally used as a secondary royal barge or to carry Kathina robes, with a busabok for important Buddha images. During the reigns of King Rama VI and King Rama VII, the barge was used when the monarchs traveled by royal barge around the capital along the route from Tha Ratchaworadit to Tha Phra Chan at Wat Arun Ratchawararam. They traveled aboard the Suphannahong Royal Barge on the outward journey and returned aboard the Anantanagaraj Royal Barge.
The royal barge measures 44.85 meters in length, 2.58 meters in width, and 0.87 meters in depth. It requires a total crew of 72 personnel, comprising 69 crew members, including two shipmasters, two helmsmen, 54 oarsmen, one stern flag bearer, one signalman, one rhythm caller, seven umbrella bearers, and one boat chanter, as well as seven officials from the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Credit: พระลาน / NBT World
