Wat Pho

Buddhist temple in central Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Pho (more fully Wat Phracheatupon Vimonmungkraram) is the "Temple of the Reclining Buddha". It is the one of the pagodas in Thailand. It is the largest atemple in Bangkok, and home of Thailand's largest Buddha.[1] It is the temple where the art of Thai massage was developed.

Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho

The important pagodas are the pagodas of King Rama I, King Rama II and King Rama IV. This temple was rebuilt from the old Wat Photaram from the Ayudhaya period by King Rama I in 1788.[1] It took seven years and five months and 18 days to finish.[2] King Rama I changed the name from “Photaram” to “Phracheatupon Vimonmungkrawat”. King Rama III (1824—1851) did a lot of repairs to the building.[1] King Rama IV renamed this temple "Wat Phracheatupon Vimonmungkraram". Wat Phracheatupon Vimonmungkraram is a popular place for tourists.

The feet of the Buddha

The "Reclining Buddha" (Phra Buddhasaiyas) is 46 m (151 ft) long and 15 m (49 ft) high.[1] It was made during Rama III's work on the temple. His body is covered in gold, his eyes and feet have mother-of-pearl decorations. The bottom of his feet have 108 scenes made from the shells on them in both Chinese and Indian style.[1]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Wat Pho". Sacred Destinations. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  2. "Temple Praechtupn pure Magclaram Rachwrmhawihar" (in Thai). Retrieved 2009-11-21.