Wat Arun

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan ( th, วัดอรุณราชวราราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร ) or Wat Arun (, "Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple (''wat'') in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruṇa, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks. The first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence.Liedtke 2011, p. 57 Although the temple has existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive ''prang'' (spire) was built in the early nineteenth century during the reigns of Rama II and Rama III.

History

A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was then known as Wat Makok, after the village of Bang Makok in which it was built. (''Makok'' is the Thai name for the ''Spondias pinnata'' plant.) According to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of Narai (1656–88). The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by Taksin (1767–82) when he established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of Ayutthaya. It is believed that Taksin vowed to restore the temple after passing it at dawn. The temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew on the river's eastern bank in 1784. The temple was on the grounds of the royal palace during Taksin's reign, before his successor, Rama I (1782–1809), moved the palace to the other side of the river. It was abandoned until the reign of Rama II (1809–24), who had the temple restored and had begun plans to raise the main pagoda to 70 m. The work on the pagoda commenced during the reign of Rama III (1824–51). The main prang was completed in 1851, after nine years of continued construction.

The temple underwent major restorations during the reign of Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868–1910) and in 1980, prior to the bicentenary celebration of Bangkok's foundation. The most extensive restoration work on the ''prang'' was undertaken from 2013 to 2017, during which a substantial number of broken tiles were replaced and lime plaster was used to re-finish many of the surfaces (replacing the cement used during earlier restorations). As the work neared its end in 2017, photographs of the results drew some criticism for the temple's new appearance, which seemed white-washed compared to its previous state. The Fine Arts Department defended the work, stating that it was carefully done to reflect the temple's original appearance.

Architecture

The main feature of Wat Arun is its central ''prang'', which is encrusted with colourful porcelain. This is interpreted as a stupa-like pagoda encrusted with coloured faience. The height is reported by different sources as between 66.8 m (219 ft) and 86 m (282 ft). The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite ''prang''. The ''prang'' are decorated by shells of Mauritia mauritiana and bits of porcelain, which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.Ridout 2009

The central ''prang'' is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the " Trident of Shiva".Wat Arun
/ref> Around the base of the ''prang'' are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.Emmons 2008, pp. 26-27 In Buddhist iconography, the central prang is considered to have three symbolic levels—base for ''Traiphum'' indicating all realms of existence, middle for ''Tavatimsa'', the Tusita Heaven where all desires are gratified, and the top denoting ''Devaphum'' indicating six heavens within seven realms of happiness. At the riverside are six pavilions ( sala) in the Chinese style. The pavilions are made of green granite and contain landing bridges.

Next to the ''prang'' is the Ordination Hall with a Niramitr Buddha image supposedly designed by Rama II. The front entrance of the Ordination Hall has a roof with a central spire, decorated in coloured ceramic and stuccowork sheathed in coloured china. Inside, there is a grand altar with a red, grey and white marble decoration. There are two demons, or temple guardian figures, in front. The murals were created during the reign of Rama V.

Cosmology

The central ''prang'' symbolises Mount Meru of the Hindu cosmology. The satellite ''prang'' are devoted to the wind god, Phra Phai. The demons (''yaksha'') at the entranceway to the ubosot are from the Ramakien. The white figure is named ''Sahassa Deja'' and the green one is known as ''Thotsakan'', the Demon Rāvana from Ramayana.

Travel

Wat Arun can be accessed through the Chao Phraya River, and ferries travel across the river towards the Maharaj pier. For foreigners, the temple charges an entrance fee of 100 baht (as of January 2021). During ''Kathina'', the king travels to Wat Arun in a procession of royal barges to present new robes to the monks there.

Gallery

File:0000140 - Wat Arun Ratchawararam 004.jpg
File:Wat Arun Prangs.jpg
File:Templo Wat Arun, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 16.jpg
File:Templo Wat Arun, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 15.jpg
File:Templo Wat Arun, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 25.jpg
File:Templo Wat Arun, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 20.jpg
File:Wat Arun Ratchawararam 2017-01.jpg
File:Wat Arun 2017-01.jpg
File:Wat Arun 2017-06.jpg
File:Wat Arun Ratchawararam 2017.jpg
File:Wat Arun 2020.jpg
File:Temple of Wat Arun, Bangkok, 1969 (6).jpg, Wat Arun in 1969
File:Watarunportalyaksha.jpg
File:The sculptures of two mythical giant demons, Thotsakan and Sahatsadecha, guarding the eastern gate of the main chapel of Wat Arun, Bangkok.jpg
File:20171201 Wat Arun Bangkok 6444 DxO.jpg

See also

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Citations

General references

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External links

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Panoramic view of the temple
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{{Authority control

Arun
Bangkok Yai district
Buildings and structures on the Chao Phraya River
Registered ancient monuments in Bangkok
Arun