Situated in front of the Grand Palace in central Bangkok, this 60m temple was constructed for the cremation of King Mongkut (r. 1851 68) who died of malaria after a trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan province to witness a total solar eclipse. Known as Mount Meru, after the sacred mountain in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, to symbolise the king's divinity, the temple was decorated in gold and mirror glass, and surrounded by eight spired chedis marking the eight points on the compass. In the foreground of the picture, giant demons protect the entrances to the funeral site.