Behold Wat Arun the majestic Temple of Dawn. Its towering prang a breathtaking sight.
Wat Arun stands proudly on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. This iconic landmark boasts a rich history. It’s one of Thailand’s best-known destinations. A Buddhist temple its existence predates even the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was initially known as Wat Bang Makok then Wat Makok. King Taksin renamed it Wat Chaeng. He established his capital nearby. Legend says he vowed to restore the temple after seeing it at dawn. The temple housed the Emerald Buddha before its move to Wat Phra Kaew in 1785.
Rama II and Rama III oversaw significant construction. They worked to restore and enlarge the temple. The main prang reached completion in 1851 after nine years of work. French explorer Henri Mouhot described Wat Chang as the most beautiful temple in Bangkok in his travel journals. Major restorations happened under Chulalongkorn and again in 1980. More recently from 2013 to 2017 extensive repairs took place. This included replacing broken tiles and using lime plaster. The renewed appearance sparked some debate but the Fine Arts Department defended the work. They insisted it accurately reflects the original design.
Wat Arun’s central prang is covered in colorful porcelain. It’s a magnificent stupa-like pagoda. Sources vary on the exact height but it’s impressive. Four smaller prangs surround it. They’re also decorated with porcelain and shells. These shells came from boats using them as ballast from China. The prang symbolizes Mount Meru in Hindu cosmology. The satellite prangs are dedicated to the wind god Phra Phai. The central prang has symbolic levels representing different realms of existence.
The ordination hall contains a notable Buddha image supposedly designed by Rama II. The hall’s entrance boasts stunning colored ceramic and stucco work. The murals inside date back to Rama V’s reign. Temple guardian figures stand guard in front. They are Sahassa Deja and Thotsakan from the Ramakien.
Today Wat Arun welcomes visitors by boat across the Chao Phraya River. It’s a place of significant cultural importance. A fee is charged for foreign visitors. During Kathina the king visits in a royal barge procession. He presents new robes to the monks. The temple’s beauty especially at dawn or sunset leaves a lasting impression. Its history and symbolism are truly unforgettable.