Wat Arun
Wikipedia | Google | Google Images | Flickr
According to local legend, King Rama I and King Taksin, who had been childhood friends and fellow pages under the same king, had encountered a Chinese fortune teller one day, who foretold that they will both be kings, something which came true despite the unlikely odds. Taksin became a very good military leader and subsequently king during the Burmese war, and was succeeded by his general, Rama I.
History
The temple of Wat Arun has existed since at least the 17th century, although under various other aliases. In the aftermath of the Burmese retreat in the battle of 1767, King Saphan Taksin and his fleet stumbled upon the temple right at dawn. The king was so impressed by the gleaming sunrise light it reflected that he restored it and gave it the name ‘Temple of Dawn’. He also moved the capital from Ayutthaya to Chao Phraya's western bank, and built his palace around the temple. During Taksin's rule this temple was actually located within the ground of the Grand Palace which goes a long way in explaining why so much importance had been given to its restoration.The revered the Emerald Buddha
was housed here until 1785,
which is when Wat Arun8 was moved to the western side of the river bank, and the Emeral Buddha placed
inside Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Arun is the final resting place of King Rama
II*.
What there is to see in Wat Arun
. The tall
spire represents the centre of the universe, one which you are free to climb. The stair case can be physically demanding
for some, but the visual rewards from the top are simply breathtaking. The three levels signify the the three planes of
Buddhist existence: Traiphum (the realm of physical existence), Tavatimsa (that of desires) and
Devaphum (that of heaven and happiness).As you ascend to the top , you'll come across several sculptures depicting Erawan
the
three-headed elephant mount of Indra , the God of
War, as well as Phra Phai, the God of Wind. the spires theselves feature rows of mythological creatures including
demonic looking yaks and rather none-too-pleased monkeys. At the very top level, you'll get stunning riverside views and
this will be your one chance to get yet another bird's eye view at the Grand Palace across the river.The Buddha statue housed within the Ordination Hall is said to have been crafted by King Rama II himself, who played a central role in the temple's restoration. The murals painted along eth walls are likewise colourful and striking, and said to have been requested by King Rama III murals painted.
If you've always dreamt of dressing up in authentic Thai clothing and have your photo taken at an exorbitant price, then you can do that here. You may also choose to be blessed by a monk for a nominal fee yet although this used to be in the form of flowers, incense and food, dollar notes seem to be much more appropriate nowadays.
How to Get There
district. To
get there, the fastest and cheapest way is to take the SkyTrain to the Saphan Taksin station, which is located
right on the bank of Chao Phraya, near the boat pier. The boats come frequently, and regardless of the boat you take
(their destination differs according to the flag color), all of them pass by the Maharaj Pier (Wat Arun) or its
opposite - Chang Pier (Grand Palace). You can also go there by taxi - they are quite cheap, though not as cheap as the boat ride but the traffic nuisance, long distances, and the fact that you don't know Bangkok very well, might turn into an unpleasant ride.
The buses that go near the Tha Tien Pier (near Wat Pho) are 1, 25, 44, 47, 62, and 91, and stop on Maharat road.
When to Visit
The temple is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. However, if you want to see something special, try visiting the temple during the Royal Kathin, one of the most vivid festivals in Thailand. This is when the King travels to Wat Arun followed by a great procession of boats, to present the monks with new robes after the traditional period of lent.What Else to Visit
Clustered together with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, and at a walking distance from Khao San Road, it is possible and quite convenient to visit all of them together. If you get off at Chang Pier, you can visit Wat Pho and the Grand Palace first. If you get off at Maharaj Pier, visit Wat Arun first, then cross over. One ride across is ฿5 ($0.16).Do you see any omissions, errors or want to add information to this page? Sign up.
Author: aelumag. Last updated: Feb 07, 2015
Pictures of Wat Arun
