Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Arun at dusk
Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Arun at dusk

According to a proverb “a good start is a part of success,” people take advantage of special events such as a birth day or New Year day to gain good luck and get off to a good start. As Thais strongly believe in Buddhism, one of the most popular things to do to gain good blessings is making merit and donating at temples or paying homage to sacred place like temples and shrines in order to gain luck, and clean their spirit.

Together with Thai superstitious belief, Thai devotees see that paying homage to nine temples in a day will bring prosperity and good luck for their lives. Why it should be nine? The reason is that Thais pronounce number nine as “Kao” like the word “Kao” which means to progress and to step up. Therefore, belief in Buddhism and superstition is combined and worshipping nine sacred places will bring success and prosperity to the devotees.

Because Bangkok is the capital of Thailand where many of our important temples are situated, the city is famous for its Nine Sacred Temple tour. Our passage for paying homage to nine sacred places in Bangkok begins at Wat Kanlayanamit for a belief that Luang Phor Samporkong will bless pilgrims with a safe trip and pleasant encounters along their way. Wat Kanlayanamit and the Buddha image of Phra Puttatrairattanayok, also known as Samporkong to Thai-Chinsese people, was built during the reign of King Rama III and influenced by Chinese architecture. The gambrel of the ordination hall is decorated in floral patterns of a Chinese-style mosaic.

Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Kanlayanamit
Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Kanlayanamit
Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Arun during the day
Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Arun during the day

After gaining good blessings to start a nine temple trip, I am delighted to take off for the next worshipping place, Wat Arun. Heading north on the west side of Chao Praya River in Thonburi, Wat Arun Ratchawanaram (Temple of Down) is only a few minutes from Wat Kanlayanamit and dazzling tall prangs (pagoda) strike my eyes once it caught the sunlight. The picture of the pagodas and two immense giants standing at the doorway of the temple are famous as they are seen in many Thailand tourist leaflets and websites. Built in Ayutthaya period, Wat Arun was later nurtured by King Taksin as a royal temple and known as Wat Chaeng. The name was changed by King Rama IV to Wat Arun. It is believed that those who come to make merit here with three incense sticks and a pair of candles will be rewarded with a glorious life like the rising sun, Wat Arun means Temple of Dawn.

Further north on the west bank of the Chaopraya River, there is a temple where one of the most admired monks in Thailand – Somdej Phraphutthachan To Phrommarangsi – resided. Wat Rakhang Khositaram was built during the reign of King Taksin and was renovated in King Rama I with many exquisite murals on door panels, and walls. Wat Rakhang was later registered as National Ancient Remain in 1949. I walked into ubosot with three joss-sticks, a pair of candle and three sets of gold leaf and started chanting Chinabanchon verses to pay respect to a Buddha image of Somdej Phraphutthachan To Phrommarangsi. In accordance with the name of the temple, Rakhang or bell, it is believed that worshippers will be well-known and well-liked throughout the country like the beautiful chimes of the bell.

Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Feeding fishes at Wat Rakhang
Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Feeding fishes at Wat Rakhang
Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Chanasongkram
Paying homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok - Wat Chanasongkram

I boarded on a boat at Tha Chang Pier to cross the river and headed further north to Chana Songkhram temple, my next destination on my “paying homage to nine temples” list by riding public bus number 56. Wat Chana Songkhram or Temple of War Victory was constructed during the Ayutthaya period and was once called as Wat Klang Na because its original location was in the middle of rice field. The present name was given by King Rama I when the country won a war. Due to the encouraging name of the temple, people come here with three of joss stick and a pair of candles to pay homage to a Buddha image in its ordination hall and wish for their conquest over all enemies and obstacles.

On the way to Chao Pho Sue Shrine, I spotted a magnificent chedi of another famous temple which is not on my “paying homage to nine temples” list, but a very much a “not-to-be-missed” temple, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, just inside the old city wall bordering Banglamphu canal, on Pra Sumeru road. The temple is steeped in Thailand’s history and has a highly ornate exterior of white marble while the interior design of the shrine hall for the Buddha image, Phra Phutthachinnasri is evenly adorned. Wat Bowonniwet is also home to Thammayut Nikaya school of Thai Theravada Buddhism.

Read more of Nine Temples tour in Bangkok here.




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