Last week Thursday, Jilly and I visited Wat Pho Temple - The Temple of The Reclining Buddha.
It's located behind the Grand Palace and is a little gem in the heart of Bangkok! Its one of the oldest and most beautiful Temples in Thailand. Entrance fee is ฿100 (£2.17) per person and includes unlimited time in the grounds (well until it closes at least) a bottle of chilled water (which came in super handy as it was 35 degrees!) and use of the loos (they have air con!) The Temple also houses a school for Thai Medicine and is known as the birthplace of the Thai Massage - there is still a Thai Massage school on the grounds. (we were tempted to get a massage - but it was just too hot!)
Jilly and I got the canal boat from Thonglor Pier and set off to 'Old Town' for the day. We were originally going to go the Grand Palace, but I had heard that Wat Pho, although slightly smaller is just as beautiful and and I really wanted to see The Reclining Buddha. So we decided to start off at Wat Pho and kept the afternoon free to visit do the Grand Palace - time permitting! Once tickets were purchased I covered my legs with a scarf - I was wearing shorts. It's requested that you dress 'appropriately' when entering the Temple - shoulders and knees covered. For those that thought spaghetti straps and tiny shorts were appropriate Temple attire, they were asked to cover up and presented with a green dressing gown before entering the Temple. Luckily I planned ahead and brought my trusty scarf along - green is so not my colour!
We got there early-ish to avoid the crowds and try miss the heat of the day. The Temple wasn't too busy and were able to walk around, admire it's beauty and take pics without dodging the selfie sticks.
The pictures really don't' do it justice! I'm gonna have to invest in a pro-camera that can capture just how beautiful things really are! But until then the little iPhone will have to do - so just trust me - it's much more stunning in reality! When the sun shines on the golden and mirrored decorated roofs...it really does take your breath away
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It's so peaceful and calming to walk around the Temple, you wouldn't think you were in the middle of Bangkok - despite it being in the middle of 'Old Town' it's pretty quiet.
Wat Pho houses over one thousand Buddhas and various statutes that have lived there for hundreds of years. Ashes from past Kings and members of The Royal Family are also enshrined there. The Temple is in pristine condition and refurbishments happen throughout the year to ensure the Buddhas are always looking their golden beautiful selves.
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| Phra Buddha Chinnaraj |
We saved viewing the 'Pra Buddah Saiyaas' - aka - 'The Reclining Buddha' until last. He definitely does not disappoint. and he was the highlight of our visit to Wat Pho! I'm not quite sure what size I was expecting him to be - I knew he'd be big - but I was super surprised at how big the dude really was. He was hudge! I was in awe!Pra Buddah Saiyaas is one of the most popular icons in Thailand and one of the largest reclining Buddha in the world! At 46 metres in length and 15 metres in height, smothered in Gold, he lounges in the Temple and brings peace and happiness to all who visit him. There is also a notorious gang of pick-pockets that operate in-front of him and warning signs are everywhere - be sure to give your bag a little cuddle when in there! You are requested to remove your shoes before you enter the temple and given little blue bag to put them in. And for those not 'polity' dressed, this it's the time you will be presented with the over-sized green gown so you can cover up shoulders and knees and face the Buddha dressed appropriately.
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| Pra Buddah Saiyaas |
We didn't make it to the Grand Palace that afternoon after all (it's on the 'To Do' list - watch this space) the heat of the day was just too much and we wanted to savour our visit to Wat Pho! We then tuk tukked to the Koh San Road - which is about 5 min away - for a watermelon shake, spot of lunch and shopping!
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