Wat Arun, or Wat Chaeng, is a world-famous landmark, at its best when seen silhouetted against the sky at dawn.Standing high on the western bank of the Cho Phaya River in Thon Buri,Bangkok's twin city, its magnificent towers rise in glorious symmetry toward the sky, with the multi-colored porcelain pieces embedded in the towers sparkling in the first rays of the sun.
It has become almost a tradition that one visits this magnificent monastery, perhaps the most photographed place in Thailand, in connection with the Floating Market Tour. The tall central tower, 76 metres high.
After the Burmese conquest of Ayutthaya, King Tak Sin (1767-1782)established the capital at Thon Buri.Wat Arun stands on the site of an ancient monastery which was ordered restored by King Tak Sin.
Construction of the tall prang and four smaller ones was started by King Rama II (1809-1824) and completed by King Rama III (1824-1851). The towers are supported by rows of demons and gandharvas. Very steep and narrow steps lead to a balcony high on the central tower.
This balcony commands an impressive view of Bangkok across the river.Form here one can see the Grand Palace,the Monastery of the Emerald Buddha and the spacious Wat Po.
The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multi-colored Chinese pottery! In niches in the central tower are green figures of Indra, chief of the Vedic gods, seated on Era wan, the traditional Thai three-headed elephant. Niches in the smaller towers contain figures of the Moon God on a white horse. The trident of Shiva extends from the top of each tower.
Wat Arun figures in one of Thailand ' s most colorful festivals, the Royal Tod Kathin, during which His Majesty the King travels down the river in a procession of royal barges to present new robes to the monks after their months of Lenten discipline.
It has become almost a tradition that one visits this magnificent monastery, perhaps the most photographed place in Thailand, in connection with the Floating Market Tour. The tall central tower, 76 metres high.
After the Burmese conquest of Ayutthaya, King Tak Sin (1767-1782)established the capital at Thon Buri.Wat Arun stands on the site of an ancient monastery which was ordered restored by King Tak Sin.
Construction of the tall prang and four smaller ones was started by King Rama II (1809-1824) and completed by King Rama III (1824-1851). The towers are supported by rows of demons and gandharvas. Very steep and narrow steps lead to a balcony high on the central tower.
This balcony commands an impressive view of Bangkok across the river.Form here one can see the Grand Palace,the Monastery of the Emerald Buddha and the spacious Wat Po.
The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multi-colored Chinese pottery! In niches in the central tower are green figures of Indra, chief of the Vedic gods, seated on Era wan, the traditional Thai three-headed elephant. Niches in the smaller towers contain figures of the Moon God on a white horse. The trident of Shiva extends from the top of each tower.
Wat Arun figures in one of Thailand ' s most colorful festivals, the Royal Tod Kathin, during which His Majesty the King travels down the river in a procession of royal barges to present new robes to the monks after their months of Lenten discipline.
