Wat Arun (Temple Of Dawn)
The Most Breathtaking Wat along the River
Thailand is home to over thirty thousand Buddhist temples, locally known as “Wats”. The temples in the city are seemingly more popular with tourists as Bangkok is the top tourist destination in Thailand. Wat Arun is located along the Chao Phraya River and is more commonly known as the Temple of Dawn. Tourists who wish to stay closer to the river can stay at a riverside hotel in Bangkok, which is not only a convenient location but also provides great views of the surrounding landscapes. AVANI Riverside Bangkok Hotel is one such option to consider.
Wat Arun is a majestic temple and stands graciously on the riverside, with the light from the temple illuminating the surrounding areas and reflecting on the water. The Temple of Dawn was built to pay homage to Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. The temple is known as Wat Chaeng amongst the locals and is located on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. The towering monument known as prang is a sight one should not miss especially as it stands out against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset and a colourful sky.
The spire prang is over 70 metres in height and is decorated with coloured glass and Chinese porcelain placed skilfully into intricate patterns. The Central prang is open for anyone who wishes to climb it, and once at the highest point, one is treated to a breathtaking view of the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho on the opposite side. The base of this tower is decorated with sculptures of Chinese soldiers and animals.
Inside Wat Arun sits a statue of a golden Buddha held against intricately decorated murals on the walls. Entrance to the temple is 100 baht and is open every day for worshippers and travellers. Travellers are advised to dress appropriately as this place of worship is considered to be most sacred amongst the locals.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
