There are 31,200 Buddhist temples also known as Wat in
Thailand.
One of the most interesting places that
caught my attention while cruising the Chao Phraya river in Thailand is the
Wat Arun or the Temple of dawn.
This is one of the most striking and famous
riverside landmarks of Thailand located majestically on the Thonburi or West bank of the Chao Phraya river.
The four-corner prang of Wat Arun, which
house images of the guardian gods of the four directions, reinforces this
mystical symbolism.
The temple has flourished throughout the
Rattanakosin Period. Its present height is 104 meters.
It has an imposing spire over 70 metres
high, beautifully decorated with tiny pieces of coloured glass and Chinese
porcelain placed delicately into intricate patterns. It has a long elongated, Khmer-style, prang,
the tower and the minor towers symbolizing Mount Meru, the terrestrial
representation of the thirty-three heavens.
Steep steps lead to the two terraces that
form the base of the Prang. The different layers, or heavens, are supported by
Kinnaree, or half-humans, and frightening Yaksas, or demons and monkeys.
Although the temple had existed since at
least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang(spires) were built in the
early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.
The full name of the temple is
WatArunRatchawararamRatchawaramahawihan .
Although it is known as the Temple of the Dawn, it's absolutely stunning at
sunset, particularly when lit up at night which I never tried! Maybe in my next journey I will try it during night time.
This temple can be reached either by
ArunAmarin Road or by boat from ThaTien Pier, near Wat Pho.
For 150 Baht you can try river cruising and enjoy Thailand's tourist destination!
