What Is Special About Reclining Buddha in Bangkok?

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, just knows how to dazzle its visitors. Lying within its very lively and buzzing character is a rich culture and heritage that have been shaped over centuries. It’s almost surprising to find a tranquil temple sitting beside a busy street market, but this meeting of contrasting natures is what defines Bangkok best. The Reclining Buddha is among the most popular cultural and religious attractions in the city, and you’re going to learn what makes it so special.

Overview 

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, also known as Wat Pho, can take a large portion of the credit for Bangkok’s popularity as a travel destination. Tourists are always drawn to places with historical and cultural significance, and Wat Pho gives them what they come looking for. It dazzles, intrigues, and leaves visitors in awe of Thai heritage.

Its actual name is Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan, but locals usually refer to it as Wat Pho, while to tourists, it’s the Reclining Buddha. 

It’s situated right in the middle of all the activity, only a short distance from the Chao Phraya River and Tha Tian ferry station. As you can imagine, getting to Wat Pho doesn’t require any meticulous planning. There’s also a concentration of hotels in the area. Some of the best hotels in Sukhumvit have sprouted close to the temple; for instance, NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard is only 20 minutes from the temple.

In a narrow sense, what makes Wat Pho special is the reclining Buddha, which measures 45 metres in length, but there’s more to it.

History 

Wat Pho has a long history that goes all the way back to the 16th century. It was built during the reign of King Rama I to house various Buddhist scriptures. 

Under King Rama III, the temple became a symbol of religious significance and a centre of education. He renovated the temple and added around 1,000 Buddha images, along with various murals and the reclining Buddha statue. 

The statue was built to revere the Buddha and to commemorate his entry into Nirvana. It’s covered in gold leaf, and on its feet, you will find pearl inlays. 

So much time has elapsed since it was built, but it remains a symbol of religion, history, and culture in Bangkok. In 2008, Wat Pho rightfully became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights 

The reclining Buddha is only the beginning of what awaits a culture buff. The many discoveries include chedis and belfries, along with numerous statues of the Buddha and mystical creatures.

Chedis: Dotting the temple complex, you’ll find stupas and chedis of various sizes. Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn stands out with its four chedis. All four chedis are similar but also different in their colours and mosaics. Another equally noteworthy chedi is Phra Chedi Rai.

Buddha Statues: Wat Pho also features several Buddha statues. Phra Buddha Lokanat is a notable statue with its Sukhothai style and standing position. Inside and outside the monastery, you’ll find hundreds more Buddha statues. Phra Buddha Chinnasri is also worth a look.

Phra Ubosot: Most people think that the Reclining Buddha is the main temple of Wat Pho. Given its fame, it’s an easy mistake to make. However, the principal temple is actually the Phra Ubosot. In fact, it’s considered the most important and, therefore, the most revered. It’s often the venue for important religious ceremonies, with the large sitting Buddha adding even more religious reverence to these events.

The Reclining Buddha: The main attraction is, of course, the Reclining Buddha. With its large proportions, the statue intrigues visitors. It’s not just a large statue in Bangkok; it’s the third-largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. It was built with brick and then painted and gilded all over.

Massages: An unusual activity you can enjoy during your temple visit is to get a massage. The temple features a massage school where you can indulge in a therapeutic traditional massage. It is believed that Wat Pho is the birthplace of Thai massage.