subject: Magnificent Temples of Bangkok by:Paromita Banerjee [print this page] Temples or Wats (as locally called) are an integral part of Thai culture and the heart and soul of the Capital. The enthralling architecture and sheer magnificence of these "Wats" is like no other. Book your accommodation in Bangkok from the various travel websites available. Insist on a temple tour from your travel agency once you reach Bangkok.
The best time to visit most temples is in the early morning. It's cooler and generally less crowded. The temples play an important part in Buddhist traditions apart from being tourist attractions. Monks live in the temple complexes and go about their daily chores from early morning.
The famous Wat Arun, better known as the Temple of Dawn, is one of the best-known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. It is believed that after fighting his way out of Ayutthaya, which was designed by a Burmese army at the time, King Taksin arrived at this temple just as dawn was breaking. He later had the temple renovated and renamed it Wat Chaeng, the Temple of the Dawn.
Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is located within the grounds of the Grand Palace in the historic centre of Bangkok. It enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha). This highly revered Buddha image was meticulously carved from a single block of jade.
Wat Pho or Temple of Reclining Buddha is located behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It's the largest temple in Bangkok and famed for its huge and majestic reclining Buddha measured 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf. The Buddha's feet are 3 metres long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious characteristics of the Buddha.
The Wat Mahathat is the headquarter of Thailand's largest monastic order and Vipassana Meditation centre. Wat Mahathat is an important centre for the study of Buddhism and meditation.
Wat Traimit or the temple of Golden Buddha houses the world's largest golden seated Buddha measuring nearly five metres in height and weighing five and a half tons.
Wat Sutat or the Great Swing is one of the oldest temples with a sweeping elegant roof and the site of the original Giant Swing ceremony. A huge teak arch - all that remains of the original Giant Swing - lies in the grounds in front of the temple. The swing was used in a ceremony to give thanks for a good rice harvest.
Wat Saket or Temple of the Golden Mount served as the capital's crematorium In the late 18th century. During the following 100 years, the temple became the dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims. Other temples that are a must see are Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Bowonniwetwihan, Wat Chanasongkram, Wat Intharawihan, Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, Wat Rakhang, Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Ratchapradit, Wat Suwannaram and Wat Thepthidaram. Search for temple tours in Bangkok from online hotel booking worldwide to book your exclusive tour.
