Chao Por Lak Muang Shrine (City God Shrine)

Chao Por Lak Muang Shrine (City God Shrine) is situated in the area of military lodges, Phanurangsri camp, Ratchaburi. It is 600 meters far from the central of Ratchaburi. The highlight of the place is that Chao Por Lak Muang Shrine was built in the reign of King Rama II of Rattanakosin. As King Rama II was the one who decided to move the city from the west to the east of Mae Klong Riverside in order to protect the city from any invasions made by enemy. City God Shrine is counted as a holy item that Ratchaburi people really respect. Before getting to know more about the history of Chao Por Lak Muang Shrine, you need to discover the history of ancient Ratchaburi city as it is pretty much related to the history of this City God Shrine.The ancient Ratchaburi city has been moved so many times which are not far from each other. After the evidences were found, people started to believe that there has been people came over and settled down here since Middle Stone Age which was 10,000 years ago. But, the evidence that showed ruins of the town was pretty much obvious during Dhawarawadee period. After the ancient remains of Dhawarawadee period were discovered nearby Khu Bua Sub-District, Ratchaburi, it has been presumed that Khu Bua Sub-District was once an old town of Ratchaburi. Later in Lopburi period, Ratchaburi city was moved to the area nearby Wat Mahathat. And, Wat Mahathat, which lied on the west of Mae Klong Riverside, was counted as the center of the town. While, there was Wat Aranyik lied on the outskirts. Ratchaburi city during Lopburi period was actually in Chedihak Sub-District and Lhum Din Sub-District. The molehill nearby the east city wall was used in order to fill the road all the way to Khao Ngu, Ratchaburi. An ancient Ratchaburi city which has Wat Mahathat as the center of the town last long for many years and this city even last long until Rattanakosin period in the reign of King Rama II. His Majesty King Rama II thought that the city on the west side which is actually the right side of Mae Klong River is not really a good location as it had always been attacked by the opponents. So, His Majesty had a will to settle the new city on the east which is the left side of Mae Klong River. This made it hard for the enemy to approach the city. After the moving, there was also a buried City God Shrine ceremony held. Chao Por Lak Muang Shrine still now situated nearby the city wall area and it has been well taken care by Royal Thai Army 4 ‘Phanurangsri camp’. On every April of each year, there will be a ceremony held with the purpose of paying homage to the city god. People will get to gild and pour water for the city god. Presently, Engineer Department of Royal Thai Army has been taking care of every single matter of the city god shrine and as well built a new gold pavilion to place the flowers and the joss sticks for the public. For further information, please contact Military Base Tel. 032337388 / 032337811How to get here?It is located 600 meters far from the city in the opposite side of Ratchaburi city and as well opposite of Phanurangsri camp.