During my year in Thailand for Christmas, Jerome was supposed to arrive on Friday night just for the beginning of the holidays , but he finally arrived in Bangkok on Sunday night very late (due to some mechanical problems in one of his flight, he even had a delay of 12 hours in Shanghai). So I had a few days for me to enjoy Bangkok alone. I decided to go for a visit to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. It’s this famous temple which looks like it’s shinning when the sunset on it!
Where is Wat Arun located?
Wat Arun is located on the west side of the Chao Phraya River (the famous Bangkok river), and it can be easily accessed via taxi, bus, train, or boat. I choose a taxi boat. I don’t remember how much it cost me, but it was inexpensive! You can do in the morning the Grand Palace and at the end of your day go to Wat Arun (it’s great for the colors)
A little history about it:
After the fall of Ayuthaya, King Talksin ceremoniously clinched control here on the side of a local shrine. He established a royal palace and a temple to house the Emerald Buddha. The temple was renamed after the the Indian god of dawn: Aruna. The temple was built in honor of the literal and symbolique founding of a new Ayuthaya. Today, the temple in one of Bangkok’s most iconic structures where we can climb on. It wasn’t until the capital, and the Emerald Buddha were moved to Bangkok that Wat Arun received its most prominent characteristic: the 82-meter high Prang (Khmer style) tower. The tower’s construction was started during this first half of the 19th century by Rama II and later completed by Rama III. Steep stairs lead to the top (but we weren’t allowed to go to the top because of the rain, too bad!!), from where you can see the river Mae Chao Praya. Not apparent from a distance are the ornate floral mosaïques made from broken, multitude Chinese porcelain, common temple ornamentation in the early Rattanakosin period, when Chinese ships calling at the port of Bangkok discarded tonnes of old porcelain as ballast. Also worth an inspection is the interior of the bàht. The main Buddha image is said to have been designed by Rama II himself. The murals date from the reign of Rama V, are particularly impressive is one that depicts Prince Siddhartha encountering examples of birth, old age, sickness, and death outside his palace walls. This experience led him to abandon wardly life. The ashes of Rama II are buried at the base of the pressing Buddha image.
Why this temple changed so many times his name?
Wat Arun Ratchawaraem (Temple of Dawn) has over 300 years of history. This ancient temple had existed since the period of Ayutthaya Kingdom (or the 17th century). Its original name was “Wat Makok.” It is said that King Taksin the Great intended to establish a new capital of Thonburi. He traveled along the Chao Pray River and arrived in front of Thonburi just as dawn was breaking. The temple was then called ” Wat Chaeng,” meaning ” Temple of Dawn.” A significant restoration of the spire (Prang) took place during the reign of King Rama II (early 19th century). The name od the temple was changed to “Wat Arun Ratchatharam” and had become the temple if his reign. In the reign of King Rama IV, the temple was renamed ” Wat Arun Ratchawararam” as the present name.
The spire of Prang of Wat Arun is where Buddha’s relics are placed. Its architecture is remarkably outstanding and is considered one of the most magnificent and most beautiful stupas of Rattanakosin Kingdom. The architectural components of the Prang reflect Buddhist ideology about the universe, according to Traibhum cosmology.
Why I loved this place?
I loved this place even if they are a lot of people coming, but as soon as you walk a little bit, suddenly you almost feel alone. I love the color of the temple and the serenity from this one. The temple is made with little piece of porcelain, and this is why the reflection from the sun on it gives it a spectacular point of view, and the Colors are just amazing!!!
The place is not so big, and if you compare it to the Grand Palace, it’s quite nothing, but it feels peaceful!
Give it a try next time you go to Bangkok!!!!
