Because
of its riverside location Wat Arun is one of the best known of Thailand's
landmark. The temple is locally known as Wat Chaeng and also called “Temple of
the Dawn”, because of it's absolutely stunning at sunset, particularly when lit
up at night. Majestically its towering over the water of the Chao Phraya
River. Uncountable tiny pieces of
coloured glass and Chinese porcelain were placed delicately into intricate
patterns decorated spires.
The
temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the
radiations of the rising sun. Although the temple had existed since at least
the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early
nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II (*1767, †1824). A Buddhist
temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya
Kingdom. It was then known as Wat Makok, after the village of Bang Makok in
which it was situated. According to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab,
the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of King Narai
(1656--1688). The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by King Taksin when he
established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of
Ayutthaya.
The
temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra
Kaew on the river's eastern bank in 1785 and was located in grounds of the
royal palace during Taksin's reign , before his successor, Rama I, moved the
palace to the other side of the river. It was abandoned for a long period of
time until Rama II, who restored the temple and extended the pagoda to 70m.
Location: Bangkok Yai district, on the west bank (Thonburi) of the Chao Phraya
River, almost directly opposite Wat Pho.
Opening
hours:
Daily
from 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM
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Detail of the Phra Prang, the
central tower of the Wat Arun,
showing Indra on his three-headed elephant Erawan (Airavata).
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