What to see at The Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in the Bangkok  Yai  district  of Bangkok, Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya  River. The full  name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam  Ratchaworamahawihan (วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร).  the Temple  of  Dawn, is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. Sitting majestically on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, the legendary Wat Arun is one of  the most striking riverside landmarks of Thailand. Despite the name, the most spectacular view of the glittering monument can be seen from the east side of the river at sunset, when the spires of Wat Arun make an impressive silhouette against the skyline.

  Architecture

The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer Style tower). It may be named  "Temple of the Dawn" because the first light of morning reflects off the surface of the temple  with a pearly iridescence. 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.

The central prang is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "trident of Shiva".]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.  

Prang of Wat Arun

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

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

Mythology

The central prang symbolizes Mount Meru of the Indian cosmology. The satellite prangs are devoted to the wind god Phra Phai.

The demons (Thai: Yaksha) at the entranceway 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.