Temples of All Faiths

Golden Mount

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Attraction | "Worthy of a View"

Golden Mount Steps Photo - Golden Mount, Bangkok, Thailand

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Both the history of the Golden Mount as well as the structure itself is fascinating. It's origin dates back to the Ayuthaya Era. It was restored under the direction King Rama I during the late 1700's. It was used for cremation ceremonies which are still in evidence. Under King Rama II reign during the mid 1800's a plague caused some 30,000 bodies to be brought here. King Rama III originally planned a giant chedi to be built. The soft ground gave way so the ruble was reinforced with trees and plants making it one of the few shady, cool places around. King Rama IV shored it more with teak reinforcement as it was still sinking. And finally King Rama V topped it off with today's current chedi....Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 3, 2010

Golden Mount
Boriphat and Bamrung Muang Intersection
Bangkok, Thailand 10200
+66 2 694 1222

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Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

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Attraction | "Temple of Dawn"

Wat Arun and Shrines Photo - Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), Bangkok, Thailand

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Wat Arun, is a far cry from the architectural design of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Yet it is a mere ferry ride away. There are no green and gold roof tops, nor decorated eaves here.Instead, this Khmer-style prang rising over 250’ can be seen from the other places. The four smaller towers seem to be the icing on the cake. The combination of the center tower and four smaller surrounding ones represents Mount Meru, a very sacred mountain in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The faith of this temple is, in fact, Buddhist. Each level you ascend, represents another level in heaven. Each layer of the main prang appears to be held up by rows of Goompagans positioned in a squa...Read More

Wat Arun, is a far cry from the architectural design of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Yet it is a mere ferry ride away. There are no green and gold roof tops, nor decorated eaves here.

Instead, this Khmer-style prang rising over 250’ can be seen from the other places. The four smaller towers seem to be the icing on the cake. The combination of the center tower and four smaller surrounding ones represents Mount Meru, a very sacred mountain in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The faith of this temple is, in fact, Buddhist. Each level you ascend, represents another level in heaven.

Each layer of the main prang appears to be held up by rows of Goompagans positioned in a squat pose with arms raised to hold up the foundation. Kinnari, the beautiful half-woman half-bird character as well a the fierce Yaksa demons are depicted in half circle cutouts along the walls. Pieces of colored ceramic shaped into flowers and ivy adorn all the pillars surrounding the mythical creatures.

As you climb up the main prang, you a better view of the skyline as well as the smaller prang’s details. Here you’ll notice chimes fashioned in the form of small golden leaves emitting the faintest, but extremely peaceful murmurs. At the top of the smaller prangs there are arches with statues of man on a horse decorating it, while the central pillar’s archway depicts Erawan, the 3-headed elephant from Hindu mythology.

Two huge Goompagans, or gatekeepers, adorn the entryway to the site and are from the Hindu period. Yet the small shrines on the site house small Buddhas. The main Buddha statue is purported to have be designed by King Rama II. And this Temple of Dawn was chosen by King Tak Sin to be the royal palace as it is the first location to glean the morning light. For tourists, it is a popular place for a sunset.

Admission 60B, hours 8:30-5:30, shoulders must be covered and no short skirts or shorts are permitted. Take the river ferry from Phra Arit near Khao San to the next stop heading south on the Chao Praya River and the dock right next to it takes you directly across to Wat Arun for 3B. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 2, 2010

Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)
Thai Wang Road
Bangkok, Thailand

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Sri Mahariamman Temple

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Attraction | "Cosmo Creation by Brahma"

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Sri Mahariamman Temple or Wat Khaek or Maha Uma Diva is a Hindu Temple on Silom road that really stands out. It was build in 1879 and is dedicated to Brahma, Hindu God of Creation. Lord Brahma is the creator of the universe meaning he was all alone prior to the beginning. Out of loneliness he split himself in two, creating Goddess Shatarupa who had the ability to take on many forms. Brahma deeply desired her and obsessively pursued her to the point that she would change into various forms from hens and cows to mares and does. This is how these creatures came into being. The next thing Brahma did was to give himself five heads so that he could watch her all the time. Lord Shiva, Hind...Read More

Sri Mahariamman Temple or Wat Khaek or Maha Uma Diva is a Hindu Temple on Silom road that really stands out. It was build in 1879 and is dedicated to Brahma, Hindu God of Creation. Lord Brahma is the creator of the universe meaning he was all alone prior to the beginning. Out of loneliness he split himself in two, creating Goddess Shatarupa who had the ability to take on many forms. Brahma deeply desired her and obsessively pursued her to the point that she would change into various forms from hens and cows to mares and does. This is how these creatures came into being.

The next thing Brahma did was to give himself five heads so that he could watch her all the time. Lord Shiva, Hindu God of Destruction and one of the holy trinity (Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu) cut off one of the heads succeeding toning down Brahma’s lust and returning him to his senses.

Outside row upon row of lesser deities and mythical creatures line the walls of nooks and crannies of every structure. Half animal characters with bodies of birds, elephants, monkeys and more combined with half human bodies in elaborate costumes with blue skin, green skin and more provided a dizzying array of creatures. Mosaic flowers and bits of scenery covered the miniscule space between deities.

Inside is the main image of Uma Diva, Shiva's consort. One dome contains a small bronze statue of her along with her son. She has the abilities to take on three different forms, Durga, Kali and Parvati. When you see the 3-headed statue where she is in all the forms at one time, she is purported to be the Hindu Goddess of Mercy.

Surrounding Uma Diva is Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. There is also Vishnu, the God of Preservation as well as Vishnu’s incarnation Rama and Krisnu. Other gods represented included Kali the Goddess of Time and Transformation of Death who is depicted with 8 arms.

It is really a shame that photographs are not permitted inside when postcards aren't available. There is so much detail you would need a chair in a cool place with plenty of time to take it all in. I can't believe the tourist maps gloss over this place.

Free, hours 6-8 Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 1, 2010

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Wat Ratchanatdaram

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Attraction | "The Metal Palace"

Loha Prasat Photo - Wat Ratchanatdaram, Bangkok, Thailand

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Inside the grounds of Wat Ratchanadda is Loha Prasat which means "metal castle," a well-deserved name. It is located across the street from as well as being visible from atop the Golden Mount. It is worth a visit due to its uniqueness and very convenient to get to if you also happen to be visiting the Golden Mount. It is the only one of its style that remains. Neither the one in India nor Sri Lanka exist. Although the appearance looks similar to Burmese design it was modeled after the Buddhist one in Sri Lanka. The architecture structure of this metal palace is a step pyramid and was built in 1846. Each level has a series of meditation rooms connected by a spiral staircase through t...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 1, 2010

Wat Ratchanatdaram
2 Mahachai Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10200
+66 02 224 8807; 225

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Chinese New Year

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Attraction | "Thailand's Chinese New Year"

Personal Dragons Photo - Bangkok, Thailand

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Chinatown was inhabited by Chinese laborers long before Bangkok was a city still has some lovely old hotel buildings and narrow winding alleys. The temples were vibrant with burning incense filling the air, overwhelming the milder scent from the offerings of flowers. Even the usually strong smell from the various citrus fruits placed in front of the Buddha icons were lot able to complete with stronger aromas. Worshippers were so thick, not only in the temple, but in the alley leading to it where hoards of people were buying lottery tickets, no doubt having receiving a favorable sign about the coming new year. Nonetheless, I found New Year’s to be a disappointment.Ringing in Year of the...Read More

Chinatown was inhabited by Chinese laborers long before Bangkok was a city still has some lovely old hotel buildings and narrow winding alleys. The temples were vibrant with burning incense filling the air, overwhelming the milder scent from the offerings of flowers. Even the usually strong smell from the various citrus fruits placed in front of the Buddha icons were lot able to complete with stronger aromas. Worshippers were so thick, not only in the temple, but in the alley leading to it where hoards of people were buying lottery tickets, no doubt having receiving a favorable sign about the coming new year. Nonetheless, I found New Year’s to be a disappointment.

Ringing in Year of the Tiger, I expected a parade with tiger floats and dragons. Alas, the so-called parade was nothing more than unknown dignitaries with plenty of riot control, police and military men. Doing the incredibly slow Asian-shuffle along the crowded street made narrower with even more vendors than normal, was for nothing. Chinatown is certainly worth seeing, but not during New Year’s in the evening hours.

At one end of the street, a stage was erected where bands were singing. Women dressed in cowboy outfits softly sang tunes in Thai. The combination just seemed rather odd to me. Other costumes not related to the Chinese culture were also worn as a band made an attempt at rap.

On the other hand, those few dressed in costume, such as warriors and opera performers were enjoyable as were the Pekingese (now Beijingese?) dogs wearing bright red Chinese clothes.

During the New Year’s Festival Chinatown’s large temple, Wat Traimit, was not charging the 40B entrance fee so many tourists took advantage of seeing it. The outside was lit up more than usual and bright red lanterns adorned walkways between the smaller shrines within the complex. Housed here is the world’s largest SOLID GOLD Buddha statue weighing in at nearly 5 ton and standing 10’ high. The statue was only uncovered in 1955 when the stucco cracked that had been covering it to keep Burmese from ransacking it. However, the temple itself is some 150 years old having gone through restoration in 1937. The views from this incredible bright white temple trimmed in gold are of the surrounding, seemingly dingy, Chinatown. The main street, Yaowarat, and its beckoning Chinese Arch are just across the street on the opposite corner.

Rather than having to sit in a packed restaurant to eat and then go door-to-door for the right souvenir, the outside vendors made it easy. You could grab a kebob with several favorites or things you wanted to taste while grabbing a swirling dragon beautifully display on the rack next you and pick up a good luck charm from the vendor sitting on a blanket blocking your way to proceed down the street. Yes, the vendors spilled over the sidewalks, onto the streets with blankets covering the ground and tall coat racks containing balloons and such. Just try and get a view of anything! Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on May 31, 2010

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