The visiting card of the capital of Thailand is the Buddhist temple Wat Arun. It is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Another name of Vata Arun is the Temple of the Morning Dawn, it is at this time that it looks most impressive.
Wat Arun is not just a cultural heritage of Thailand, it is a functioning temple. Since its construction at the end of the 19th century to this day, monastic services and various ceremonies have been held inside it.
Of greatest importance in the entire temple complex is the 79-meter chedi (otherwise - stupa) "Phra Bang", inside of which valuable relics of Buddhism are kept. All surfaces of the temple and stupa are decorated with amazingly beautiful porcelain, which, according to legend, was raised from the bottom of the Chao Phraya River. He ended up there after the sinking of a barge from China with expensive dishes on board.
In the evenings, small light performances are held on the territory of the temple, where you can get acquainted with the history of Vata Arun. The narration is in English and Thai with traditional music.
Wat Arun is also known for the Kathin ceremony, which is very important for all Buddhists, which takes place there annually in November. As part of this event, the country's most honorable monks are rewarded with special traditional kathin robes, which they receive at the Arun temple from the hands of the King himself or another member of the Royal Family.
Wat Arun is located on the banks of the Chaopraya River, directly opposite the Royal Palace. It is impossible not to see it - the pagoda of the temple rises above low buildings and is visible from afar. Since the temple is located on the opposite side of the river relative to the central part of the city, it is most convenient to get to it by ferry that runs between the banks. The cost of a one-way ferry is only 3 baht (about 3 rubles). There are several ways to get to the ferry: on foot - if you are located in the historical center, by shuttle tram along the Chaopraya River or by bus - if you are in more remote areas of the city. Or if you are taking a long boat trip through the canals, you can ask to be dropped off at Wat Arun at the end of the walk. The entrance to the temple complex is also very little - 50 baht. Its working time is limited - from 8.30 to 17.30.
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Wat Arun - one of the oldest temples in Bangkok - was built in the 17th century and named after Arun, the Indian god of dawn. After the capital was moved to Bangkok, for a long time it was considered the main royal temple. At that time, the statue of the Emerald Buddha was kept here, which is now located on the territory of the Grand Royal Palace in the temple of Wat Phra Kaew.
Wat Arun is considered the highest in Thailand. It is a complex of several stupas built in the Khmer style. The height of the main prang is more than eighty meters, it symbolizes Mount Meru, and its tiers represent the diversity of worlds. Smaller stupas are located around the central pagoda on the cardinal points. On the territory of the temple complex there are more modern and familiar temples, many figures of Buddha, spirits, elephants, small fountains, bowls with water and lotuses.
You cannot go inside the stupa - it is not hollow. Therefore, to visit the temple means to climb to the very top. Prang consists of several tiers, to which a very steep staircase leads, and the higher, the more difficult it is to climb. But the climb is worth it. After all, from a distance the pagoda looks like an openwork structure, and only close up can you see what all its splendor consists of. The walls of the stupa are richly decorated with floral ornaments made of pieces of porcelain, colored glass, and mirrors. On the walls, you can see fragments of glazed tiles, and appliqués in the form of leaves and flowers, and even parts of plates, small bowls and saucers. Unfortunately, from time to time the tiles break off and fall off, and on the walls you can see many empty places. But still, this does not deprive the structure of its special attractiveness.
Do not be lazy and climb the upper tier of the temple for the sake of the beautiful view that opens from there. From a bird's eye view, you can look around the entire complex of the Royal Palace, see the bends of the Chaopraya River, and see many skyscrapers in the central part of the city. It is especially beautiful here in sunny weather.
By the way, you can admire the Temple of the Morning Dawn not only while on its territory, but also from afar, from the opposite bank of the river. Contrary to its name, it is best to do this in the evening, at sunset. With the onset of darkness, the pagoda is illuminated by spotlights and looks especially attractive and even romantic. It is ideal to visit the temple while it is still light, climb to the very top and admire the panorama of the city, and at sunset return to the opposite bank and wait until darkness falls. Moreover, just by this time the temple is closed. In the spring and summer evenings, there are small light performances, accompanied by traditional Thai music and a story about the history of the temple.