The Reclining Buddha is the oldest largest temple in Thailand. This religious structure is located at the Chao Praya River. Here is a brief history.
A visit to the Land of Smile would not be complete without visiting Bangkok’s largest wat or temple. The Reclining Buddha is also known as the Wat Phra Chetun or the Wat Pho. It sits near the tourist attractions such as the Grand Palace. The serene temple houses a statue of the Buddha lying down on his right side with the right hand supporting his head. The site where the temple sits was initially the temple of Wat Phodaram, where locals would study traditional medicine and learn Thai massage.
History
The Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho Bangkok was built in 1782 under the reign of King Rama I. It would undergo further construction works in 1788 to make it larger. The remains of King Rama I lay on the ordination hall, also referred to as the boht. The Boht was built during the reign of King Rama III.
Style of the temple
Most of the architecture in the temple is made in the Ayutthaya-style. This was an ancient Siamese Kingdom in Southeast Asia. In fact, some of the structures were salvaged from an ancient temple in Ayutthaya. The Reclining Buddha structure was built in 1848, and it stands as the largest Buddha Statue in the country. The temple houses Buddha images, marble and golden structures. It is also believed to be home to a Bodhi tree which led to the Buddha becoming enlightened.
The temple of the Reclining Buddha is open from 8 am to 5 pm. The easiest way to access is by using the Chao Phraya River Express and then walking across the market.
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