Wat Arun is one of the most important temples in Bangkok.
We take the ferry to the western shore of the Chao Phraya. Two powerful Yaksha guardians with swords guard the entrance to the temple.
The temple was originally built in the Ayutthaya period. After the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese, King Taksin made Thonburi (today in the western part of Bangkok) the capital and set up his royal residence here. Wat Arun, which at that time was called Wat Makok and Wat Tai, was included in the palace compound.
No monks were allowed to live in the palace temple, like today in Wat Phra Kaeo. After the fall of King Taksin, King Rama II increased the height of the 16 m high Prang. Today it measures 66 or 86 m, nobody knows exactly. Rama II also gave the Wat Arun its current name.
The ordination hall which is framed by a covered walk with Buddha statues is surrounded by a big inner courtyard.
The stone figures like warriors, noble women and Singhas, the mythological lions, were imported from China. The elephants were made of bronze.
The mural paintings had been destroyed by a fire and renewed on behalf of Rama V. The base of the Buddha statue contains his ash.
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More InformationThe central prang, Phra Prang, forms the center of the temple. Unfortunately, it was partly scaffolded at our visit. It is framed by four smaller Prangs, dedicated to the wind God Phra Phai. He is represented as a rider sitting on a white horse.
Four statues look out of small niches in all four directions.
We let the tranquility sink in and leave Wat Arun at the beginning of twilight.
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