Wat Arun Ratchawararam (The Temple of Dawn) is a Buddhist temple located on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya river. It is known by locals, Thais, and Bangkokians as the temple of dawn. This temple contains many gorgeous and striking artistic and architectural creations that was designed as a perfect replica of the worlds and the universe according to Buddhist belief and the tenets outlined in the Traiphummilokawinitchai, the most significant text in Thai cosmology.
The history of Wat Arun can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period, where it is said that a buddhist temple had long existed at the site, at least since the seventeenth century. It was then known as Wat Makok (literally meaning temple of olives), after the village of Bang Makok, which was situated around the temple grounds. For a small period of time it was home to the emerald buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew in the Rattanakosin era and was once located within the palace grounds of the Thonburi kingdom.
Throughout the years, Wat Arun has undergone several restorations, including once during the reign of Rama 5th, twice in the reign of Rama 9th, and previously in the reign of Rama 10th.
None of the evilness could penetrate within the perimeter of the ‘Temple of Dawn’ Chapel, since the entrance gate to enter the East Chapel is protected and preserved by 2 fierce guardian giants that hold the magical white clubs. The green-face giant on the right is Thosakan, king of the Giants, and the Lord of Longka.
While the white complexion giant on the left side of the gate is the mighty Sahasadech, the Lord of Pang-Tal. They both are made by Luang Thep Gun in the reign of king Rama III. Sahasadech has been the alliance of Thotsakan and he got the power from Phra Phrom that whenever he fights with everyone, nobody can beat him. However, eventually, in the battle of Lonka, he got killed by Hanuman,a semidivine being of monkey-like form.
From gorgeous murals to striking architectural creations, the history of the temple of dawn comes to life in this vivid documentary featuring accurate historical illustrations.The documentary explore Wat Arun Ratchawararam (The Temple of Dawn), a Buddhist temple located on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya river. It is known by locals, Thais, and Bangkokians as the temple of dawn.
Sources :
Noaimiloa. A Timeline of the Life of Siddhartha Gautama, or The Buddha. 27 Aug. 2006, noaimiloa.livejournal.com/24301.html Phu-ngamdee, Sakon.
THE STUDY OF THE MURAL PAINTINGS AT WAT ARUNRACHAWARARAM (TEMPLE OF DAWN) IN BANGKOK. cadcc.kbu.ac.th/home/pdf/ATWATARUNRACHAWARARAM.pdf. Prakitnonthakan, Chatri.
The Philosophical Constructs of Wat Arun. Edited by Somkid Jiratatsanakul and Steve Van Beek. Translated by Bancha Suvannanonda, vol. 1, SOUTHEAST INSURANCE PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED, 2013. Vanhaleweyk, Guido.
“Vessantara Jataka.” Thai Buddha Images : The 10 Jatakas (Past Lives of the Buddha), www.buddha-images.com/vessantara-jataka.asp. กรมศิลปากร . ประวัติวัดอรุณราชวราราม. คณะสงฆ์วัดอรุณราชวราราม, 2521.
Edited by Natthasit Suksangpleng 2018
