Bangkok Attractions Guides

The legendary Wat Arun temple is an ancient, iconic symbol of Thailand, and one of the most one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok. It is one of the most spectacular landmarks in Bangkok, and its majestic center spire (prang) graces the reverse of the bath coin, and is featured on most of the nation's tourism advertisements.

The Wat Arun Temple was so named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. The name is also reminiscent of the pearly iridescence that is reflected off the Temple's surface at the first light of dawn. The Wat Arun is ornamented with little bits of Chinese porcelain, which were once used as ballast on merchants ships from China

This Buddhist temple is located on the western bank of the Bangkok's River of Kings in the Bangkok Yai district. The full name of the Wat Arun Temple is Wat Arunratchawararami.

History

This riverside temple is one of the few that predate the rule of the Chakri dynasty, Thailand's present-day royal family. The Wat Arun dates back to the golden era of the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya (1376-1767). At the time, it was known as Wat Makok, The Olive Temple. In later years, King Taksin changed its name to Wat Chaeng.

During his reign, King Rama II (1809-1824) once again changed its name to Wat Arunratchatharam. He also set about restoring the temple and enlarging the central prang - a project that was completed by King Rama III. The prang was raised to its incredible height - it remains the tallest prang in Thailand to this day. The temple got its final name, Wat Arunratchawararam, from King Rama IV (1851-1868), who was once a monk in the temple.

For a brief period, the Wat Arun was home to the revered Emerald Buddha, before this sacred figurine was permanently enshrined in the Wat Phra Kaew Temple, in 1784

Mythology of the Wat Arun

The most outstanding feature of the Wat Arun is the temple's central prang, which towers 82 metres into the sky. It is a symbolic representation of Mount Meru, the sacred peak that is believed to be the center of the universe in Buddhist cosmomology. In Buddhist mythology, Mt Meru is also symbolizes the single-pointedness of mind and soul that is the goal of adepts. The temple's four satellite prangs house the images of the Hindu guardian gods of the four directions.

The Wat Arun is open to visitors from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The admission fee is 30 baht for foreigners.

Photos for Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)