Seven Sacred Sites in Bangkok
Mar 14th, 2010 by admin
Thailand has many sacred sites. The locals seem to favor seven specific sites in Bangkok for well-being, good luck, prosperity, respect and even popularity. You don’t need to be spiritual to turn your Bangkok trip into a pilgrimage, as many of the locals do. You may find the experiance not only enriching but enlightening.
The most popular of these sites is Wat Arun or Temple of the Dawn (วัดอรุณ) situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Completed in 1842 during the reign of King Rama III, it is quite a place to visit or make merit during the many Buddhist holy days. The locals believe that visiting Wat Arun can bring riches. The visit alone is truly rewarding in itself.
Wat Arun
This amazing temple is among Thailand’s most significant landmarks, also it’s most photographed. It consists of a substantial elongated Khmer inspired tower, surrounded by four smaller prangs, all of them embedded with tiny pieces of porcelain, which provides that fantastic iridescent glow at sunset.
Wat Arun can be reached by Arun Amarin Road or the water via Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho. The Tha Tien express boat pier at the southwest corner of the Grand Palace or Wat Phra Kaew is diagonally opposite Wat Arun and boats are available at very frequent intervals. You can get to Tha Tien on the Chao Phraya Express boats from any other pier or you can take a taxi to it.
Many of the Thonburi canal tours also take tourists to visit this amazing piece of architecture. The temple opens daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm and foreigners will pay a 30 Baht fee. Free entry to Thais.
Another sacred place is Wat Kanlayanamit, a Thai-Chinese monastery about 1km from Wat Arun. The temple, which is located along Bangkok Yai canal, is home to the largest Buddha image in Bangkok.
Also along Arun Amarin Road about 1km from Wat Arun is Wat Rakhang or Temple of the Bells. Built in the Ayutthaya period, it is where Buddhist scriptures are stored. You will also find large numbers of bells (rakhang) here – ringing them all in a row is supposed to bring good luck. Followers visit the temple in the hope of being loved and admired.
Wat Pho is home of the country’s largest Reclining Buddha image and said to be the country’s first university. While most locals come to study traditional Thai massage, other visit in the hope of securing a peaceful life. Outside the temple are various hawkers selling all kinds of marine animals such as frogs, fish, crabs, turtles, snakes and birds – each one symbolizing a specific fortune, for release in merit making rituals. It is said that the one who releases them, could have a wish granted. Releasing a catfish can help in winning over your enemies, releasing a turtle can provide a long life, and setting a colorful fish free can bring a wonderful love life!
For wealth and prosperity, you should not miss Wat Phrakeo on the grounds of the Grand Palace. It is one of the most visited temples in Bangkok and home of Thailand’s most sacred Buddha, called the Emerald Buddha – made entirely from solid Jade.
Wat Suthat on Bamrung Muang Road is famous for the fabulous murals that were created during the reign of King Rama III, and the Giant Swing out front. It is a sacred place for those who wish to have a vision.
Lastly is the City Pillar Shrine on Maha Chai Road. The graceful, temple like structure houses a wooden pillar placed by King Rama I in 1782 as the foundation stone for the new capital city of Bangkok. During the reign of King Rama IV, a new pillar was built and the shrine was turned into a pavilion with a prang shaped spire. Many locals believe that a visit to the City Pillar Shrine can ward off bad luck and invite good fortune.
