This country, which borders Laos and Cambodia to the east, Myanmar to the west, and Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand to the south, offers tourist attractions that are no less charming than other Southeast Asian countries. There are many tourist attractions in Thailand that we can visit, such as nature tourism, city tourism, cultural tourism, culinary tourism, and historical tourism.
One of them is Thailand's famous temples and Buddha statues. The Sleeping Buddha Wat Pho is one of the must-visit tourist destinations when traveling to Thailand. It is located near the Grand Palace, the royal palace of Thailand.
Sleeping Buddha Wat Pho, The Largest Buddha Statue in the World
Wat Pho officially named Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan, or more commonly known as Wat Pho (an abbreviation of Wat Phodaram), it is the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Thailand. This temple was established in 1782 and was originally known as Wat Potaram.
Many tourists visit this place because of its grandeur and the giant statue covered in pure gold, lying in a reclining position. This position symbolizes the transition to the afterlife and represents the highest achievement of Buddhist faith.
According to Thai people, anyone who visits this temple will receive good fortune, peace, and happiness in their life. The temple is designed with great grandeur, as it is not only open to international tourists but also serves as a place of worship for the royal family.
The building, which has undergone several name changes to reflect the reigning Thai monarch, measures 46 meters in length and approximately 15 meters in height. The soles of the Thai Buddha statue's feet, which are 3 meters high and 4.5 meters long, are covered with shiny, sturdy iron.
However, this reclining Buddha statue is located in a special room that is not accessible to just anyone. There are guards stationed at the entrance to this room. So you will have to queue to see the giant reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. I queued and was allowed by the guards to take photos at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
In addition to the giant Buddha statue, there are also 108 other Buddha statues around the temple in a sitting position and neatly arranged, symbolizing good luck, such as flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers, and altar equipment.
All of these Buddha statues have circles at their feet, which symbolize chakras or energy centers. At the Reclining Buddha Temple, you will find 108 bronze bowls representing the noble character of the Buddha.
Believe it or not, according to the beliefs of the people of Bangkok, if you throw a coin into this bowl and your coin fills the bowl, it will bring you good luck in life. Near the entrance to the temple, there are staff members who provide coin exchange services. My friends and I tried it at the time. Are you curious to try it?
Address of the Sleeping Buddha at Wat Pho
This famous statue in Thailand is located at 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakorn District, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Operating Hours
This largest temple in Thailand is open to tourists from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time every day.
Entrance Ticket Price
The entrance ticket to Wat Pho when I visited was around 100 Baht, which is approximately Rp. 40,000 in Indonesian Rupiah.
Tips for Visiting the Sleeping Buddha at Wat Pho
- Make sure to read the rules before entering this sacred temple.
- Exchange plenty of coins at the entrance if you want to try inserting coins into the box at the Sleeping Buddha in Thailand.
- Visit in the morning to avoid long queues.
- Be respectful, as this temple is a sacred place of worship for Buddhism; speak softly.
- Ask the staff for permission before taking photos. Especially in a foreign country, violating the law could have serious consequences.
- Do not touch the Buddha statues or other sacred objects in this area.
- Do not eat or drink inside the Buddha statue area.
That’s my experience exploring the Land of the White Elephant. Unfortunately, many of my photos were lost, so there isn’t much documentation left. Have you ever visited the largest and most amazing Buddha statue in Thailand, or recently visited this sacred temple for the people of Bangkok? Share your experiences in the comments section.
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