Visiting a temple during your Bangkok tour is a must in your itinerary. There are several world famous temples nestled within the capital itself. You can distinguish a temple even from a distance when you see a dazzling golden chedi soaring towards the heavens. Chedi are tapering structures built as a repository to enshrine sacred relics. Temples in Bangkok are the best places to discover the splendour of Thai religious architecture. You will see multi-gabled roofs adorned with ornate gilded motifs as well as chedi and statues of all sizes among other things.

While some temples in Bangkok display Thai architecture, others have been influenced by Khmer architecture. One of the notable features of Khmer style are prangs, with the formation of four mini prangs surrounding a massive central prang. A prang is an elaborately ornate corncob like structure that rises like a tapering pillar.

Every inch of a Khmer style temple is decorated with stunning relief carvings that are truly enchanting. Wat Arun in Bangkok Yai District resting on the western riverside of Chao Phraya River is a good example for a Khmer style Thai temple. You could capture an impressive iridescent from this temple during dawn, hence it has earned the name Temple of the Dawn.

Rising with a golden glamour is the world renowned Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This temple sits next to the famous Grand Palace and claims to be one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew enshrines the country’s most sacred Emerald Buddha, a remarkable statue of Buddha painstakingly carved off a single chunk of jade. You will discover a splendid trove of Thai and Khmer artistry here. Become awed by the giant mythical statues, admire golden structures and decorations and be delighted to discover a model of the world famous Angkor Wat in miniature form.

Among other temples in Bangkok another famous attraction is Wat Pho, sitting near the Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Pho houses an impressive statue of reclining Buddha that stretches about 46 metres in length and embellished in golden leaf. What’s more is the feet of the Buddha are three metres in length and display striking relief carvings on mother of pearl. These are said to be the sacred characteristics of Buddha, represented symbolically.

Buddhism is still the state religion of Thailand. Under the Constitution, the King, as a symbol of the nation, although protector of all religions, must be a Buddhist. According to the latest census, the total population of Thailand is 48 million. Out of this number, 93.4 percent are Buddhists. Buddhism has had a deep influence in the Thai arts, traditions, learning and the character of the people. It has modelled their manner of thinking and acting. In short, it has become an integral part of Thai life. The charm that has caused Thailand to be called the Land of Smiles undoubtedly comes from the influence of Buddhism over her people. Realizing these facts, the Thai rulers have taken the responsibility for the protection and promotion of Buddhism.

The rulers of Thailand have encouraged and supported Buddhism by building and maintaining monasteries, by providing the monks with material necessities and facilities for performing religious duties, by patronizing their educational activities such as the Buddhist Councils for revising the Tripitaka and having the scriptures translated into Thai, and by reforming the Sangha and appointing able Supreme Patriarchs to govern the Order. Since B.E. 2446 (1903 C.E.) the State has even enacted the laws forming the Constitution under which the Sangha governs itself.

The Department of Religious Affairs has been established in the Ministry of Education to achieve close cooperation between the Order and the Government and to provide a channel through which the Sangha can communicate with government authorities and through, which the State can promote the well-being of the Sangha.

Four Buddhist holy days are recognized by the Government as nationalholidays, namely, the Magha Puja Day, the Visakha Puja Day, the Asalha Puja Day and the Khao Pansa Day. Nearly all state and public ceremonies are blessed by the participation and chanting of senior members of the Order. The people also invite monks to chant the Sutras and protective formulas for their blessing and protection in all household rites such as housewarmings, birthday celebrations and weddings, and especially to conduct funeral rites and memorial services for the benefit of the deceased.

In Bangkok, the skyline is pierced by the spires of pagodas and stupas, especially those of Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) and the Golden Mount. “In the rice lands a traveler is seldom out of the sight of a phra chedi (Cetiya) or stupa towering above the village trees. In the less populous sections of the countries are sacred caves, ”footprints” of Buddha, and on many a steep and isolated hill a greying cetiya visible for miles around.