The Temple of Dawn

 

The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun is named after the Indian God of Dawn, Aruna. 

The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period (1782 - 1890 AD). The Temple was enlarged by Kind Rama II and Kind Rama III. The renovation completed in the reign of King Rama IV. The Emerald Buddha was enshrined in this temple for a brief period before King Rama I built the grand palace and Wat Phra Kaeo on the Bangkok side of the river.

The prang is 79m high and resembles a Khmer design. There are some steep stairs for the more daring which can be climbed all the way to the top for a picturesque view of almost the entire Bangkok. Up is fine, down is nerve wrecking.

 

  


 

 

  Decorated with porcelain.