The Buddhist temple of Wat Arun or the “Temple of Dawn” as it is commonly known, is now open again to see in all its glory. The famous temple has been supported by scaffolding for a number of months which has now been taken down. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmarks and the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple to create some of Thailand’s most iconic images. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.
