Wat Arun

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan(Thai:วัดอรุณราชวราราม ราชวรมหาวิหารpronunciation) orWat Arun(Thai pronunciation:[wátʔarun], "Temple of Dawn") is aBuddhist temple(wat) in theBangkok Yaidistrict ofBangkok,Thailand. It is situated onThonburion the west bank of theChao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from theHindugodAruṇa,often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks.Although the temple has existed since at least the 17th century, its distinctiveprang(spire) was built in the early 19th century during the reigns ofRama IIandRama III.
A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of theAyutthaya Kingdom, prior to the reign of KingNarai.It was then known as Wat Bang Makokwhich was later shortened to Wat Makok,after the village of Bang Makok in which it was built (makokis the Thai name for theSpondias pinnataplant). According to the historian PrinceDamrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of Narai (1656–88), drew byClaude de Forbinand de Lamare.
The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng byTaksin(1767–82)when he established his new capital ofThonburinear 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 theEmerald Buddhaimage before it was transferred toWat Phra Kaewon the river's eastern bank in 1785.The temple was on the grounds of theroyal palaceduring 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 ofRama 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 ofRama III(1824–51). The main prang was completed in 1851, after nine years of continued construction.
In 1858,Henri Mouhot, a French expeditioner, recorded the detailed observations of Wat Chang (literally Wat Chaeng, Wat Arun) in his travel journalsVoyage dans les royaumes de Siam, de Cambodge, de Laoswhen he had journeyed to Siam.
The temple underwent major restorations during the reign ofChulalongkorn(Rama V, 1868–1910) and in 1980, prior to the bicentenary celebration of Bangkok's foundation.The most extensive restoration work on theprangwas undertaken from 2013 to 2017, during which a substantial number of broken tiles were replaced andlime plasterwas 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. TheFine Arts Departmentdefended the work, stating that it was carefully done to reflect the temple's original appearance.
The main feature of Wat Arun is its centralprang, which is encrusted with colourful porcelain.This is interpreted as a stupa-like pagoda encrusted with colouredfaience.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 satelliteprang. Theprangare decorated by shells ofMauritia mauritianaand bits of porcelain, which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.PrinceNarisara Nuwattiwongsaid that bothprang(spire) andvihara(main hall) appeared today; they were the original works of the Department of Ten Crafts in theAyutthaya period.
The centralprangis topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "Trident of Shiva".Around the base of theprangare various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of theHindugodIndrariding onErawan.In Buddhist iconography, the central prang is considered to have three symbolic levels—base forTraiphumindicating all realms of existence, middle forTavatimsa, the Tusita Heaven  where all desires are gratified, and the top denotingDevaphumindicating 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 theprangis 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 andstuccoworksheathed 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 ofRama V.
The centralprangsymbolisesMount Meruof the Hinducosmology.The satelliteprangare devoted to the wind god, Phra Phai. The demons (yaksha) at the entranceway to the ubosot are from theRamakien. The white figure is namedSahassa Dejaand the green one is known asThotsakan, the DemonRāvanafromRamayana.
Wat Arun can be accessed through theChao Phraya River, and ferries travel across the river towards the Maharaj pier. For foreigners, the temple charges an entrance fee of 200baht(as of March 2024). DuringKathina, the king travels to Wat Arun in aprocession of royal bargesto present new robes to the monks there.