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.

Throughout the world there are countless revered Buddha statues, and Thailand has its fair share. Here we run down the top five spots for seeing Buddha statues in the Land of Smiles.

1. Bangkok

The City of Angels is full of temples and tourists whizzing around in the backs of tuk tuks. There’s plenty to see and almost everyone sees it, but that doesn’t stop Bangkok from being full of ancient wonder and charm. The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is one of the most famous Buddha statues in the world. Incredibly, it’s as long as the Statue of Liberty is high.

Wat Pho itself is the largest and oldest temple in Thailand. There are more than a thousand Buddha images in total, with the Reclining Buddha taking center stage. It is decorated with gold plating and mother of pearl. Wat Pho is also where you’ll find the famous massage school. The grounds are certainly worth a bit of exploration, so get your camera ready and enjoy. All the tuk tuk and taxi drivers in Bangkok will be happy to take you to Wat Pho, so you should have no problems finding it.

2. Chachoengsao

Chachoengsao is the capital of the province of the same name. It’s not so well known amongst tourists, but the locals certainly know about it and they flock there in their thousands every day. In terms of Buddha statues being revered, they don’t come much more so than here. Situated only 50 kilometers East of Bangkok, traveling to Chachoengsao is easiest by bus.
The only real attraction is Wat Sothon, which is allegedly one of the biggest temples in the world. People visit this temple to pay their respects to Luang Por Sothorn and to make wishes. Luang Por Sothorn is one of the most sacred Buddha statues in all of Thailand, and there are around 20 other statues in the temple. For a glimpse of Thai culture away from the touristy areas, this is a great place to visit. A little known secret is that the real Luang Por Sothorn is housed next door, and the one people pay their respects to is an exact copy.

3. Chiang Mai

The jewel in Northern Thailand’s crown is Chiang Mai. With a population of 170,000, it is a favorite spot for both tourists and locals, with many preferring the forgiving climate to Bangkok’s scorching heat. Chiang Mai is rich in cultural depth and beauty. There is so much to see and do, not least of all an impressive collection of Buddha images.

4. Ayutthaya

When Thailand was in its most glorious era, Ayutthaya was the capital and, you could say, the center of the world. The city was an incredible sight to behold until the Burmese invasion in 1767 that left it in ruins. Today, the remnants of Thailand’s golden years are here for all to see. Ayutthaya is a great place to walk around, and because it’s so compact you can hire a bicycle and see it all at your leisure. Be aware that it gets very hot, so take lots of water with you while you’re out and about.

Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitah is home to a large, bronze Buddha statue. Wat Phra Mahathat is the famous site of the rows of headless Buddha’s. They are amazing to see, and somewhat spooky in their decapitated states. The biggest bronze Buddha in Ayutthaya can be found a little outside of town at Wat Nah Phra Meru, while Wat Phanancherng boasts its own enormous statue. Ayutthaya is easy to get to, either by bus or by train. Accommodation can cost as little as 100 baht with most of the guesthouses on soi Torgorsor. The locals are all very friendly and there is a strong feeling of community in Ayutthaya.

5. Sukhotai

Sukhotai is a small city with a population of around 35,000. It is in lower northern Thailand and is the capital of the Sukhotai province. Old Sukhotai, about 12 kilometers west of today’s main city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where you’ll find the ruins of the ancient capital of the Sukhotai Kingdom. The old city has remained a permanent fixture on the tourist trail for years, not least of all because of the stunning Buddha images here. The Central Zone has been subject to extensive restoration, but the real delights can be found with a bit of exploration. The best way to see the ruins is to hire a bike and ride around by yourself.

Mat Mahathat has a large seated Buddha as well as two standing Buddha. Wat Sri Chum in the north zone has another enormous seated Buddha that’s great for taking pictures of. If you can get up early enough to see the sun rise, you’ll be able to witness the incredible effect the emerging sunlight has on the Buddha statues. There are plenty of budget places to stay and eat and Sukhotai is served by a small bus station.

The Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, though follow their own religions are still part of the Hindu way of life in that they worship the Hindu gods and goddesses and even name themselves after the Hindu names. Thus the term Hinduism, irrespective of the time and origin, represents the much older native culture and traditions of ancient India, comprising of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, etc.

Unlike the earlier Islamic invaders, known for violent way of promoting their religion by invading and destroying the local cultures and Christianity which is known for aggressive promotion through missionary activities, Hinduism is never known to have been promoted aggressively or purposively.Hindusim or people of the ancient culture of India have allowed religions like Buddhism to take root in India. In act Buddhism has not been promoted in other countries by Indians who traveled abroad, but it has been taken by those people from other countries who have traveled to India and back to their countries. Another great aspect of Hinduism is that it has promoted spirituality and recommended restraint in becoming overly materialistic. The knowledge gained by learned people, has been used for general good of the public (such as Ayurveda, Yoga etc). Even many traditional practices, have a scientific background relevant either to the olden times or even the present day. For example cow dung mixed with water is sprinkled in the front yard daily after sweeping and even the mud floors are applied with a dung paste periodically. Sprinkling dung mixed with water is known to be germicidal.

The temples and monasteries of Thailand date back to a few hundred years. The Emerald Buddha Temple is one of the most sacred sites in Thailand and requires visitors to be properly dressed before they can enter the holy place. The Jade statue of the Lord, which is elevated off the ground is a visual treat for visitiors. This temple occupies just one corner of the court of the grand Palace.

You must be out of your mind, if you visit Thailand and leave without visiting Bangkok. The capital of Thailand has everything that a tourist can dream of. Shopping plazas, Temples, Museums, Hotels offering exquisite Thai food, Islands, Beaches, Tall high-rises and a sprawling nightlife, Bangkok has it all. Be it the largest building in the world to be made of Teak wood, in Vinmanmek Teak Mansion, or the 46 meter long statue of reclining Buddha in the Wat Pho temple, you will never ceased to be stunned by the beauty of Thailand.

Shopping enthusiasts can head off to Siam Square, which is one of the most popular shopper’s destinations in Thailand. Ma Boon Krong and Siam Center are two of the biggest shopping centers here. You can spend an entire day here and yet comeback unsatisfied. There are so many restaurants, theatres and shops to keep you busy. Thailand also has cheap roadside shopping opportunities for tourists who do not wish to blow away much money on shopping.

Nature lovers can head straight to the Ko Chang national park that has many activities. Apart from the wildlife, tourists can also pursue diving, snorkeling or elephant riding over here. The place usually overflows with tourists all the time. Beach lovers can head off to Pataya, which is a pretty serene beach. It is located just 150 kms away from Bangkok.

To determine whether Buddhism is a religion or not, we must also note that we, as Westerners will have different views and concepts of religion to those practicing in the East. We must ask the question, is it even possible for Westerners to understand the religious life of Asia? What we view as Asian religion and religious activity is for most of the people practicing it a natural part of daily life; our ideas and concepts vary so greatly that perhaps someone observing Buddhism from a Western perspective may never truly grasp the religiosity of the group.

For one attempting to provide a definition of religion these practices would need to be described in a manner which did not exclude one religion from the definition. There needs to be one thing that is attributed to all religions, a common factor. For many, the common factor is God. However, if we conclude that God is the focus of all religion then much of the material found in Asia must be excluded because there is no God here, and occasionally not even Gods. From the perspective that religion entails belief in a God, Buddhism is excluded from having the title of religion. Many outsiders to the Buddhist tradition may claim that the Buddha held some divinity and is elevated to a Godly position, but the Buddha himself refused to be regarded as divine. For the Buddha, humanity is here to improve ourselves and achieve liberation rather than worrying about ultimate questions. Buddhists would argue that knowledge of a God or the afterlife does not matter as neither help in the quest for nirvana.
If Buddhism is not counted as a religion then what is it? Buddhism can be thought of as a way of life, a philosophy, a psychology, a way of thinking through which we can take responsibility for our present life and lives.

Like all major religions Buddhism contains a morality, rituals and behaviours, certain ethical values and an origin of existence, yet because Buddhists do not believe in an all knowing creator God some claim that Buddhism fails to be a religion. The large variety of definitions of religion shows that we can never give a solid, one answer description of what it is that religion is and does.

Tourism in Nepal is an integral part of Nepal’s economy. One of the most popular destinations is Sagarmatha national park, which draw tourists from every country. It is a place that offers immensely varied weather and topography, comprising of the highest mountain peaks in the world. If you are planning an adventurous trip, then don’t forget to bring good walking boots, appropriate gear, waterproof jacket, sleeping bag, a hat and other such requisites, as per the weather. Some of the well known temples of Nepal are situated in the Kathmandu Valley. These are Macchendra Nath Temple, Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, Statue of King Pratap Malla, The National Museum, Boudhnath, ChanguNarayan, Buddhanilkantha, Dakshinkali, Kirtipur and many more. Special interests of this place are trekking, wildlife, river rafting, bicycle tours and so on. Tourism started in Nepal, after its people discovered that it is located around the tallest peak in the world. It grew the ambitions to ascend the great mountain and this way it become richer and developed than before.