Everything about Wat Arun totally explained
Wat Arun (
Temple of the Dawn, perhaps so named because the first light of morning is reflected off the surface of the temple with a pearly
iridescence) is a
buddhist temple (
wat) in
Bangkok,
Thailand. The temple is located in the
Bangkok Yai district, on the west bank of the
Chao Phraya River.
The full name of the temple is
Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara
(วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร).
Architecture
The outstanding feature of
Wat Arun is its central
prang (
Khmer-style tower). Steep steps lead to the two terraces. The height is reported by different sources as between 66,80 m and 86 m. The corners are surrounded by 4 smaller satellite prangs. The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China. Around the base of the prangs are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the
Hindu god
Indra riding on
Erawan.
At the riverside are 6 pavilions (
sala) in Chinese style. The pavilions are made of green granite and contain landing bridges.
Next to the prangs is the Ordination Hall with the Niramitr Buddha image supposedly designed by King
Rama II. The front entrance of the Ordination Hall has a roof with a central spire, decorated in coloured ceramic and
stuccowork sheated in coloured china. There are 2 demons, or temple guardian figures in front.
History of the temple
The temple was built in the days of Thailand's ancient capital of
Ayutthaya and originally known as
Wat Makok (The Olive Temple). In the ensuing era when
Thonburi was capital, King
Taksin changed the name to
Wat Chaeng.
The Wat had a brief period as host of the
Emerald Buddha, which was moved to
Wat Phra Kaew in
1784.
The later King
Rama II. changed the name to
Wat Arunratchatharam. He restored the temple and enlarged the central prang. The work was finished by King
Rama III. King
Rama IV gave the temple the present name
Wat Arunratchawararam.
As a sign of changing times, Wat Arun officially ordained its first westerner in 2005.
Sean Patrick
from America.
Mythology
The central
prang is symbolizing mount
Meru of the Indian
cosmology. The satellite prangs are devoted to the wind god
Phra Phai.
The demons (Thai:
Yaksha) at the entrance way to the ubosot are from the
Ramakien. The white figure is named
Sahassa Deja and the green one is known as
Thotsakan, the Demon
Rāvana from
Ramayana.
Media
Further Information
Get more info on 'Wat Arun'.
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