Overview
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan commonly known as the "Temple of Dawn" sits on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It is a temple whose name comes from the Hindu God, Aruna who believers think appears each morning as the rays of the rising sun. Few landmarks in the whole of Thailand are better known than Wat Arun which dates back to the 17th Century. The spires were a later edition, added by King Rama II in the 19th Century. No Thailand travel guide would ever omit Wat Arun from its text.
There has been a Buddhist temple on the site since the days of the Ayutthuya Kingdom. It got its name, Wat Makok, from its location, the village of Bang Makok which itself is the name of a plant.
Maps from the middle of the 17th Century show the temple. The Emerald Buddha was located here until it was moved to Wat Phra Kaew in 1785. For years after that the temple was abandoned before restoration and the addition of a pagoda.
How to get there
Bangkok has direct international flights from all over the world. Indochina tour packages will always include a visit to the city and its major attractions. Bangkok is an easy city to access but a fairly difficult one to get around because of the volume of traffic. However there is no such problem moving about on the river.
Access to Wat Arun is simple. Ferries cross the Chao Phraya River to the Maharaj pier.
Best time to visit
Bangkok is not too far away from the equator so temperatures are fairly constant around 30C right around the year. Even at night time they rarely fall below 20C. The rainiest months are between May and October but there is hardly a low season in this city despite the fact that there can be both thunderstorms and flooding during these months. Actually when the temperatures rise slightly in March and April days can be fairly uncomfortable in contrast with days of rain when they drop slightly.Thailand travel packagesare available all twelve months of the year.
The Detail
Wat Arun has a Khmer-style tower encrusted with porcelain. There are for smaller towers at each corner, all decorated by seashells as well as porcelain that was once ballast for boats that came from China.
There is a seven-pronged trident and figures of animals and soldiers around the base. The second terrace includes four statues of the Hindu god Indra. By the river there are pavilions made with green granite in typical Chinese style.
The Ordination Hall has another Buddha while at the entrance there are both demons and guardian figures.
Accommodation
Bangkok has plenty of accommodation for all budgets. Backpackers pass through Bangkok towards other parts of the Country while those wanting 5 Star luxury can get that as well. Thailand tour packages offer a range of alternatives from which clients can select their preference before starting their holiday in Thailand.