No visit to Bangkok would be complete without a tour of the Thai capital’s temples. Featuring splendid architectural motifs and gleaming decorations, Thai temples known as ‘Wat’ look resplendent in each of their uniqueness. In addition to being places of worship and tourist attractions, the temples house Buddhist monks who can be seen seeking alms in the very early hours of the morning.
The most significant and venerated temple in the entirety of Thailand is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is named after the sacred Buddha statue it houses, which has been fashioned from a single block of precious jade. No one may approach the statue except the ruling monarch. This temple is intricately decorated and seems to project a deep sense of tranquillity.
Another highly venerated temple is Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. The spire of this place of worship located on the banks of the famous Chao Phraya River is one of the iconic landmarks of the Thai capital. The grand architecture and exquisite craftsmanship displayed in this shrine underscore its status as one of Bangkok’s most venerated temples.
On the other hand Wat Mahathat functions as the headquarters of Thailand’s major monastic order while also being a centre for Buddhist studies and meditation. One of the capital’s most ancient shrines, this temple features a major market for amulets on Sundays, when you can purchase one of these talismans for good luck.
Not to be missed is Wat Pho, which is Bangkok’s biggest temple where the immense reclining Buddha figure takes a pride of place, coated in gold leaf and no less than 46 metres in length. This temple is also noted as an excellent place to experience the unique Thai massage.
Another highlight is Wat Traimit, which is noteworthy for housing the biggest gold seated Buddha image, which measures almost five metres tall. This solid gold image, more than five tonnes in weight, was formerly disguised under a coating of plaster and was brought to light accidentally.
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