Buddhist Temples in Bangkok You Must Visit
Thailand has thousands of Buddhist temples, and quite a few hundreds of them are in the capital city, Bangkok. People visit these temples on a daily basis not just to pray, but also to meditate, seek calm and talk to the monks for spiritual healing. Apart from the praying, a significant aspect of the temples here is the magnificent architecture, which makes them a big hit among the tourists. Most of these temples are centuries old and still stand strong and spectacular. A lot of these temples hold spiritual as well as social importance in the Thai society as they also provide education. Here is a list of six temples in Bangkok that you must visit on your trip to Thailand –
1. Wat Arun
This Buddhist temple on the west bank of river Chao Phraya is one of the most visited temples in Thailand. The full name of the temple is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan. Also known as the Temple of Dawn, it is named after the Hindu God Aruna, who was the charioteer of the God of Sun and personifies the reddish glow in the sun. The temple is aptly named as its surface is the first place where the morning rays shine upon.
Address – 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Khwaeng Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand
2. Wat Suthat
Wat Suthat Thepphawararam or Wat Sathu is one of the ten royal temples of the highest grade in Bangkok. The temple started building under the reign of King Rama | and carried on during the reign of King Rama |||. There is a giant red swing at the entrance of the temple, numerous images and carvings of Buddha all around the temple walls, and a huge bronze statue of Buddha named Phra Si Sakyamuni, which was transferred from Sukhothai about 800 years ago.
Address – 146 Bamrung Muang Rd, Khwaeng Wat Ratchabophit, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
3. Wat Pho
Wat Pho is a Buddhist temple complex in Bangkok. Officially known as Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn, the Wat Pho is a first-grade royal Buddhist temple in the country. The temple is fondly known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha because of the huge statue of Reclining Buddha, 46m in size and covered in gold. This is the oldest and the largest temple in Bangkok.
Address – 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakorn District, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
4. Wat Phra Kaew
Officially known as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, the Wat Phra Kaew is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This is the most sacred and important temple in the country and is also a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha statue is carved in jade stone depicting Buddha in a meditating posture. The cloak of the statue is changed three times a year, for every new season, by the King himself.
Address – Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
5. Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, or popularly known as the marble temple, is a beautifully built temple that was constructed with white Carrara marble from Italy. The temple is a delightful depiction of the traditional Thai architecture and has multi-layered roofs and pillars at the entrance. This temple is a big tourist attraction because of its beauty. There is a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue named Phra Buddhajinaraja inside the temple, along with 52 more statues all over the temple showing the different signs of Buddha.
Address – Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10300, Thailand.
6. Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit
This Buddhist temple in Bangkok is one of the ten first-grade royal temples. The temple houses the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, the oldest Buddhist University where Buddhist monks go for higher education. This place was built during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, even before the city of Bangkok was even founded and named. The complex encompasses multiple buildings and numerous idols and statues of Lord Buddha all over. This temple has been renovated many times by the Kings as it holds an important significance in the Buddhist culture.
Address – 3 Thanon Maharat, Na Luk, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
