REMINISCENCES

My friends and I was visiting this place in February 2010 on our Thailand tour. In Thiland we visited Wat Arun, Chao Phraya river, and many other tourist destinations. This Wat Arun temple is one of the favorite destination for tourists in Bangkok. Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) is located on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Wat Pho and is the standout temple in Bangkok. Construction of the tall prang and four smaller ones was started by King Rama II (r. 1809-1824) and completed by King Rama III (r. 1824-1851). The towers are supported by rows of demons and monkeys. Very steep and narrow steps lead to a balcony high on the central tower. The circumference of the base of the structure is 234 meters, and the central prang is 250 foot high. The central balcony commands an impressive view of Bangkok across the river. From here you can see the Grand palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the spacious Wat Pho.

The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multicoloured Chinese porcelain. In niches in the central tower are green figures of the God Indra seated on Erawan, the traditional Thai three-headed elephant. Niches in the smaller towers contain figures of the Moon God, on a white horse. The trident of Shiva extends from the top of each tower.
Wat Arun ("Temple of the Dawn") in Bangkok is a Khmer-style Buddhist temple and major landmark on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.

@from various sources on the Web
@Photo: personal collection