Wat Pho in Bangkok, Thailand
Posted on January 30, 2009 - Filed Under Arts & Culture, Travel
One of the more famous destinations in Bangkok is Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Located adjacent to the Grand Palace, the temple’s official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn (Bangkok is known for its lengthy official names for things and even holds the world’s record for the longest place name). Anyone looking for a place to stay while visiting Wat Pho should consider one of the five star hotels Bangkok as they provide all the modern conveniences as well as easy access to Bangkok’s many historic and cultural sites.
In 1788 work began on Wat Pho, which is actually a restoration of a previously existing temple, Wat Phodharam. As one of the oldest wat’s in Bangkok (and one of the largest), the temple houses over 1000 images of Buddha, featuring the Reclining Buddha. At fifteen meters tall and forty-six meters in length, this is one of the largest single Buddha images in existence. The Buddha is gold-plated with mother of pearl on the soles of the feet and on the eyes. The feet feature over 100 individual Indian and Chinese style scenes.
Originally the site of the wat was an educational center teaching traditional Thai medicine. Rama III restored the temple during his reign, expanding the grounds and adding plaques featuring traditional medical texts. There are also statues featuring various yoga positions. Wat Pho underwent another restoration in 1982.
Wat Pho is the site of a school for Thai massage and traditional medicine. The school opened in 1962. The complex also houses a Buddhist monastery, Tukgawee, in the northern section of the compound, which includes its own school.
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