🌅 Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Thailand
About This Sacred Site
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is one of the most visually striking temples in Thailand, standing majestically on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Its central prang (tower) rises 82 meters and is adorned with colorful porcelain and seashells that sparkle brilliantly in the sunlight. The temple is named after Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn, because King Taksin arrived here at dawn after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 and established it as the site of the royal palace and temple. The intricate floral patterns created from broken Chinese porcelain were originally ballast from trade ships. Wat Arun is featured on the Thai 10-baht coin and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Bangkok.
Key Facts
- •The central prang (tower) rises 82 meters, one of the tallest religious structures in Thailand
- •Adorned with colorful porcelain fragments originally used as ballast in Chinese trade ships
- •Named after Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn
- •King Taksin arrived here at dawn in 1767 after the fall of Ayutthaya
- •Featured on the Thai 10-baht coin
Location
Coordinates: 13.7437, 100.4888
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