Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan ( ) or Wat Arun (, "Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple (wat) in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand. It is situated in Thonburi on the 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. Built with a fusion of Indian influences, incorporating elements of both Hindu and Buddhist symbolism, as well as reflecting Siamese tradition and identity. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks. Although the temple has existed since at least the 17th century, its distinctive prang (spire) was built in the early 19th century during the reigns of Rama II and Rama III.

Etymology

The name of Wat Arun is derived from the Hindu god Aruna, who is the charioteer of the sun god Surya.

History

A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, prior to the reign of King Narai. It was then known as Wat Bang Makok

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The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by Taksin (1767–82) 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 1785. 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.

thumb|upright|The pagoda of Wat Arun in 1858 from Mouhot.

In 1858, Henri Mouhot, a French explorer, recorded the detailed observations of Wat Chang (literally Wat Chaeng, Wat Arun) in his travel journals Voyage dans les royaumes de Siam, de Cambodge, de Laos when he had journeyed to Siam.

thumb|left|View of Wat Arun and [[Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony (1967), reign of King Rama IX.]]

In 1871, Frank Vincent Jr., an American businessman, explorer, and art collector, observed the Wat Chaeng (now Wat Arun) pagoda during his travels in Siam:

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.

Architecture

thumb|The prang and temple buildings are decorated with porcelain shards.

The main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang, a typical leap tower, 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. Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong said that both prang (spire) and vihara (main hall) appeared today; they were the original works of the Department of Ten Crafts in the Ayutthaya period.

The central prang is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "Trident of Shiva". 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. 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.

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File:Wat Arun 2020.jpg|The prang, seen from within the temple grounds (2020)

File:Bangkok Wat Arun Phra Prang Indra Erawan.jpg|Main prang, Indra seated atop Airavata (2001)

File:Templo Wat Arun, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 16.jpg|View of the river from the main prang (2013)

File:Wat Arun from the river - 2018 Aug 11.ogv|Wat Arun seen from the river (2018)

File:Bangkok along the Chao Phraya and Wat Arun (15068304635).jpg|The vihara, seen from the main prang (2014)

File:Wat Arun 2017-06.jpg|Buddha statues in the cloister (2017)

File:พระอุโบสถ วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร.jpg|The ordination hall (2025)

File:Interior of the ordination hall of Wat Arun.jpg|The principal Buddha image, in the ordination hall (2018)

File:วัดแจ้ง1.jpg|The temple lit up at night (2017)

File:0000140 - Wat Arun Ratchawararam 005.jpg|Frontal view of the prang at night (2017)

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See also

Citations

General references

  • Panoramic view of the temple