"Temple of Dawn" is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. 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 pearly iridescence. 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.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn), has over 300 years of history. This ancient temple had existed since the period of Ayutthaya Kingdom (or the 17th century). Its original name was 'Wat Makok'. It is said that King Taksin the Great intended to establish a new capital of Thonburi. He travelled along the Chao Phraya River and arrived in front of Wat Makok just as dawn was breaking, The temple was then called 'Wat Chaeng', meaning Temple of dawn'. A major restoration of the spire (prang) took place during the reign of King Rama II (early 19th century). The name of the temple was changed to "Wat Arun Ratchatharam" and had become the temple of his reign. In the reign of King Rama IV, the temple was renamed "Wat Arun Ratchawararam" as the present name. The spire or 'Prang' of Wat Arun, is where Buddha's relics are placed. Its architecture is remarkably outstanding and is considered one of the greatest and most beautiful stupas of Rattanakosin Kingdom. The architectural components of the Prang reflects Buddhist ideology about the universe according to Traibhum cosmology.
