Overview:

? Wat Arun, also known as Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, is a Buddhist temple located in Bangkok, Thailand. It is best known for its central prang (tower), which is a diamond shaped tower that towers above the Chao Phraya River, and is framed by four smaller towers. This impressive structure has been dubbed the “Temple of Dawn”, for the sun's rays appear to sparkle across it during the day. Other notable features of Wat Arun include a bell shaped ubosot (prayer hall), tiled with mother-of-pearl decoration, and four massive porcelain-covered prangs, which commemorate the four former kings of Thailand. Today, the temple serves as a major tourist attraction, with visitors coming to marvel at the beauty of the temple grounds. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Thailand
Prominent Features:

1. Khmer-styled prangs (central tower): Wat Arun is known for its central prangs, which represents Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods. The four prangs are decorated with colourful pieces of Chinese porcelain. 2. Chedis: The temple has four chedis with four different designs. The most impressive is the bright red, lotus-bud shaped, chedi at the entrance. This is believed to contain relics of the Lord Buddha. 3. Statue of the Golden Buddha: Standing at the top of the central prang is the 3.5 metre tall Golden Buddha statue cast in bronze and decorated with gold. 4. Murals: The interior walls of the temple are decorated with colourful murals depicting tales of the Ramayana epic, and the Hindu God Indra. 5. Chinese-style pavilion: At the top of the central prang is a Chinese-style pavilion that houses Bodhisattva statues. 6. Stairways: The temple is accessed via steep stairways. These stairways are decorated with Naga Balustrades. The statues of Nagas, or mythical snakes, adorn the stairways. 7. Statues of the King: Statues depicting past Kings of Siam are placed at the bottom of the temple compound. There are also statues of the King’s faithful consorts. This national monument of Thailand portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The origin of Wat Arun is believed to go back to the Ayutthaya period when the temple was known as Wat Makok. Wat Makok was built by King U Thong in 1367. After the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, the temple fell into disrepair. In the early 19th century, during the Thonburi period, King Rama II rebuilt the temple under the name Wat Chaeng and added several new buildings and Buddha images. In 1809, King Rama I (the former Thonburi king who founded the Chakri Dynasty and Bangkok) renamed the temple as Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (The Temple of Dawn). He also appointed Prince Seub Kuen and Prince Mong Itharam as the temple's first abbots. In the early 20th century, a new building was constructed for the ubosot (ordination hall) of Wat Arun. The building was designed by Prince Naris, a famous Thai architect. The building was then dismantled and reassembled in its present location, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. To this day, Wat Arun retains its original Ayutthaya-style architecture and remains a popular attraction in Bangkok. It is especially known for its beautifully ornate and colorful prangs (Khmer-style towers) which are decorated with porcelain china. You must visit one of these historical places in Thailand on your Thailand tour

Interesting facts:

1. Wat Arun is over 200 years old, making it one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. 2. Wat Arun is one of the most popular attractions in Bangkok, known for its impressive, towering central prang (Khmer-style spire) that stands over 200 feet (70 meters) tall and dominates the Bangkok skyline. 3. Wat Arun is also known as the Temple of Dawn, and can be clearly seen from boats along the Chao Phraya River due to its location on the Thonburi side of the river. 4. The central prang is decorated with colorful pieces of porcelain, which were used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China. 5. Wat Arun was once the royal temple of King Taksin the Great, founder of the Thonburi dynasty. 6. The area around Wat Arun is filled with numerous smaller monuments, shrines and stupas, making it a fascinating and photogenic spot for visitors. 7. The temple is largely open to visitors, but some areas of the compound, like the highest levels of the prang, are closed due to safety concerns. Visit one of the famous monuments of Thailand with your friends and family.