Wat Pho happens to be one of the most fascinating temple complexes as well as a popular tourist attraction to add to your Thailand tour package from India, which is located in the premises of The Grand Palace. This place is known for being the headquarters of teaching and preservation of Traditional Thai Medicine and Research. However, the centre of attraction of the temple is the largest statue of the reclining Buddha and for this the temple is also called the Temple of Reclining Buddha.
The temple is spread over an area of 8 hectares and was constructed by King Rama I as a Buddhist place of worship. During the reign of King Rama III, it was considered to be the centre of healing and known to be the very first university of Thailand. The temple is still considered to be a place of healing and the monks practise many traditional healing actions. The statue of the reclining Buddha is about 45 meters long and 15 meters high making it one of the largest statues in Thailand.
The statue of Buddha is inlaid with many precious stones and about 108 signs of truth. The earlobes of the statue signify noble birth whereas the lotus bed configuration of the hand signifies purity and beauty. Apart from the reclining statue, the temple is home to a number of Buddha images that are sourced from various parts of the world.
It is truly a sight to behold and if you are an art lover then you will truly be stunned by the work of the intricate art. Wat Pho is also called as the birthplace of relaxing Thai massage. Being a centre of knowledge and learning in diverse fields, you will come across many inscriptions and illustrations serving as the instruction for the massage therapists. The temple has two separate pavilions in the complex that are used as classrooms for practising skills and the other one is used to receive the massage treatment.
Architecture of Wat Pho
The architecture of Wat Pho is similar to that of the Ayutthayan and many of the present structures in the Wat Pho are bought from the remains of the temple town. Apart from Ayutthayan style of architecture, you will also come across some of the other buildings and complexes designed in varied architectural styles.
At the centre of the temple, you will come across an enormous statue of a reclining Buddha with his feet inlaid with a mother of peal. This place has beautiful marble interiors as well as more than 1000 Buddha images and statues that are sourced from various parts of the world. The impressive Chinese stones are worth a notice during your exploration tour. There are some statues in the complex that depict the European style of architecture guarding the gates with the compound.
History of Wat Pho
The origins of Wat Pho are majorly unknown but as per beliefs this majestic structure was in existence much before 1782. King I moved the capital of Siam to Bangkok and ordered a complete restoration of the old temple site. Many of the Buddha images were removed from the temples that were abandoned in other parts of Thailand and were reinstalled at Wat Pho which was originally called Wat Photaram. Wat Pho is considered to be the very first public university of Thailand and has remnants of the first four Chakri Kings. The major highlights of the temple are the Bodhi Tree that is believed to be the sacred tree in Bodh Gaya and the largest reclining statue of Buddha. This place preserves the legacy of the Chakri Dynasty and is also considered to be a repository of the Thai culture, art, and knowledge.
