Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

Sumaboutthailand
5 min readSep 3, 2021

Wat Arun is another thing that springs to mind when we think of Bangkok is its stunning image. Today we will drive you to Wat Arun, Bangkok, which is located beautifully on the Chao Phraya River. Seeing the splendour of the temple and learning about the place’s origins and the mythology of the huge Wat Arun. Thai people believe that coming to Wat Arun to make merit and bringing food to the monks will make their lives “glory every night and day.” Wat Arun is a lovely temple located near the Chao Phraya River. As a result, it is a popular spot to visit in order to pray to Buddha, make merit, and take beautiful photographs. It is well-liked by both Thai and foreign tourists.

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

The history of Wat Arun

If the English translation of Wat Arun is “Temple of Dawn,” the full name is “Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan.” When Taksin the Great arrived at the temple early in the morning to create his new capital of Thonburi, he noticed the first light of dawn reflected off the temple’s surface and gave the temple its name. Following that, he renamed the temple “Wat Arun,” replacing the previous name “Wat Makok.” Prior to Taksin’s successor, the temple was located on the grounds of the royal palace. The palace was then moved to the other side of the river by King Rama I. It’s been idle for quite some time now. The temple was not renovated till King Rama II reigned. Later, during King Rama 3’s reign, a large pagoda with a height of 81.85 meters and a width of 234 meters was built, although it was not completed until King Rama IV’s reign. King Rama IV dubbed the shrine “Wat Arun Ratchawararam.” King Rama IV was invited to the temple later in the Rattanakosin era, and the royal ashes of King Rama 2 were packed. As a result, Wat Arun became the temple of King Rama II. Repairs to Wat Arun have been ongoing since September 2013, with the most recent one completed in 2017.

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

Phraprang Wat Arun

The Phra Prang, a vast Thai edifice consisting of the main pagoda and four minor pagodas built of brick and stucco and adorned with stained glass, is another major tourist attraction at the temple. Prang’s current status It was built to replace the ancient Ayutthaya pagoda during the reign of King Rama II in 1820 and completed during the reign of King Rama III. The height difference between the base and the top is 81.85 meters. It was then significantly restored under the reign of King Rama IV, as can be seen now. Shell pieces, glazed tiles, and various colored benjarong bowls adorn the Phra Prang, which is made of bricks and cement. It features floral, leaf, and other motifs, the majority of which are Chinese in origin. Wat Arun Phraprang is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is also one of Thailand’s most well-known tourist attractions.

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

The Legend of Wat Arun the Giant

Wat Arun is home to two giants: “Sahatsadecha,” the giant above the white body, and “Tosakan,” the giant beneath the green body. They were made of plaster and adorned with gorgeous garment patterns made of colored glazed tiles. They are frequently spotted near the temple’s entrance, keeping watch. People used to believe that the giant guarding the temple had the power to drive away spirits, ghosts, and devils, and that it was his responsibility to defend the temple’s sacred objects. Legends about the giants of Wat Arun and Wat Pho, It began in “Tha Tian,” one of Thailand’s most well-known sites. In this area, the word “Tian” has no meaning. As a result of the battle between the giants Wat Arun and Wat Pho, Tha Tian’s kingdom became desolate (Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkalaram Rajaworawihan). As a result, the two giants crushed the region’s trees until they died, leaving a perfectly flat plain in their wake.

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

Which mode of transportation is the most efficient?

To get around, take the BTS sky train system or the Chao Phraya Express Boat.

The BTS sky train system is the greatest way to commute in Bangkok because it avoids traffic jams and saves time. When you arrive at any BTS station, exit at “Siam” and travel to the opposite side to wait for the Sukhumvit line, then out at “Saphan Taksin (S6)” and walk to exit number 2, where you will find the Sathorn Pier of the Chao Phraya Express Boat beneath the BTS station.

Purchasing a 15 bath per person ticket for an orange-flag boat and then sailing from Tha Tien Pier (N8), There are ferries that run every 10–15 minutes across the river from the pier to the Maharaj pier; the fare is 4 bath per person, and the ferries run every 10–15 minutes. You can see the temple from where you crossed the river. Click on the website link below to find out how much the train and boat will cost.

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

When Visiting a Temple, Here’s How to Act

Short pants, short skirts, tight shirts, thin clothes, tank top, flip-flops, sleeveless shirt, and do not take the shirt outside of the pants are prohibited, as are short pants, short skirts, tight shirts, thin clothes, tank top, flip-flops, sleeveless shirt, and do not take the shirt outside of the pants.

In addition, this site has some relevant info: CLICK HERE

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