The most interesting temples of Bangkok

Temples in Thailand are called wat. All wats have some similar characterictics: it is walled compound containing several buildings in traditional Thai style with seep swooping roofs and colourful interior murals. There are more than 300 wats around Bangkok but the most important and beautiful are these:
The temple of Reclining Buddha. This is the largest and oldest temple of Bangkok. Besides, it houses the largest image of the Buddha. The highly impressive gold plated Buddha is 46 m long and 15 m high illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The feet and the eyes are engraved with mothe of pearl decoration and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha.

Along the perimeter of the temple’s hall there are many pots, in which believers throw the coins while moving. The walls and the ceiling are painted with scenes of Buddha's life.

On the territory of this Wat you will find also no fewer than 394 gilded Buddha images. Small rock gardens provide shade, greenery and decorations: they have miniature waterfalls and small statues depicting daily life.

The inner courtyard of the temple is filled with giants and figurines carved out of granite. They represent noble and common folks of ancient China: the giants with bulging eyes and Chinese opera costumes – noble warriors; the one with trimmed beard and moustache – Marco Polo himself; the figure in a straw hat – a farmer.

There are also 4 large stupas in the yard decorated with ceramic tiles. In each of them the remains of four kings of the Chakri dynasty buried. The space around these big stupas all filled with 91 smaller ones. This was done to prevent the future kings from joining the memorial.

Another impressive Wat of Bangkok is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is attached to the former royal residence, the Grand Palace. The Temple gleams and glitters with so much colour and interiour ornamentation is so spectacular that you can easily miss the Buddha himself: he is just 66 sm high and sits so high above worshippers (that's why I didn't manage to make a photo of him - too dark and too far away for my camera). This green figure carved of nephrite dates from 13 or 14 century. The Emerald Buddha is the talisman of Thai kingdom. The Buddha has three royal robes for the hot, cold and rainy season. The king himself changes the robes thrice a year.

Somewhat of different type is Wat Arun Temple – the Temple of Dawn named after the Indian god of dawn Aruna. This temple is one of the most striking riverside landmarks of Bangkok.

The Wat Arun consists of a massive Khmer styled tower surrounded by four smaller towers. This main tower is 82 m high and you can climb at least half the way up. The steps are so steep that it is really a challenge but it is worth a try: from above you can enjoy the nice view of the Grand Palace, the river and the skyscrapers of Bangkok.

The walls of the temple are adorned with colourful floral murals and figurines made of glazed porcelain.