Rising like a glittering palace over
the western side of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is one of
Thailand’s most spectacular and oldest temples. The site is renowned for
its colorful, glazed ceramic tiles (reportedly over one million of
them) and its ornate central spire (or prang) that currently towers at over 260 feet (about 80 meters).
What makes the temple particularly
unusual is the origin of its tiles: they were originally broken bits of
Chinese dishes that were salvaged from a British shipwreck. The found
porcelain pieces were then crafted into ornate flower petals and
embedded into the prang to produce a glittering effect under the sun.
Named “The Temple
of Dawn” during the Ayutthaya Period (1768), King Taksin came across
the original site by boat after returning back from battle with the
Burmese army. As he approached the city at sunrise, the king named the
glittering spectacle after the Hindu god Aruna (who is the charioteer of
the Sun god Surya). Later, King Rama III added the elaborate ceramic
tiles, tiny seashells, Buddha statues, as well as its signature central
pagoda spire.
Despite its name, the full scope of Wat
Arun is perhaps best appreciated at sunset from the river. While
visitors can see temple’s design touches in detail by day (including
several Buddha statues and four other spires), it’s particularly
beautiful when lit up to a radiant, glowing silhouette at night. If you
do, however, visit during the day, it’s best to arrive right when the
gates open at 8:30am or late afternoon just before sunset.
“Wat Arun’s full official name is Wat
Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan – but you’re never going to
remember that, let alone pronounce it!,” Pintida Harnpanpongse of
Tourism Authority of Thailand tells Atlas Obscura. “It’s considered as
one of the most iconic, most recognizable, and most beautiful temples in
Thailand because of its unique design, fine craftsmanship, colorful
decorated spires, and its majestic riverside location that stands right
across from Wat Pho (the Temple of Reclining Buddha).”
The central tower (prang) is said to
symbolize Mount Meru—the home of the gods in Hindu cosmology and the
center of the physical and spiritual universe—with its grand tiered
design that resembles a stairway to heaven. “Surrounding the Prang there
are three rows of statues: on the bottom row there are demons
representing hell, the middle row [depicts] monkeys and represent the
earth, and the top row are angels representing heaven,” says tour guide
Thippy Thepthewi. “The Prang was built with similarity to Khmer
architecture, but actually it is our Thai Rattanakosin style, since its
slimmer and taller with indentions in the corner (which differ from the
Khmer style).”
Wat Arun has also recently underwent an
extensive three-year renovation to restore the Chinese porcelain tiles
and seashells, as well as the base of the pagoda.
Clancy's comment: If circumstances were different, I would be in this city today. This temple is also mentioned in my current book.
Oh, Merry Christmas everyone.
I'm ...
