Wat Saket

Posted by Sukhumwit Steve on March 11th, 2010 filed in Sightseeing, Temples

Situated just a ten-minute walk from Khoasan Road, the Golden Mount is a good place to visit to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Visitors can climb the 318 steps that wrap themselves around the smooth white sides of the Golden Mount, which is also known as Wat Saket.

However, the 80-meter climb can be rather challenging and is best tackled in the cooler part of the day, either at dawn or dusk. At three points, the stairs are broken by a short platform, and visitors can pause on one of these to ring the large prayer bells. Striking the bells produces a deep, majestic tone, which resonates and carries out into the distance.

The center of the Golden Mount is lit by candles and smells strongly of wax and incense. This part of the temple contains some of the Buddha relics that were discovered in 1897 under the ruins of Pipraawaa near the frontier of Nepal.

After slowly circling the centre of the temple, visitors can put their coin in the collection box and climb the short wooden ladder to the top. The view from the top is spectacular – offering glimpses right across Bangkok to the imposing structure of Bioke Tower. Nearby the Chao Phraya river sparkles, spanned by the magnificent structure of the Rama IV Bridge.

Situated in an enclosure at the front of the bot is a cutting of the sacred Bodhi tree, which was brought from Anuraadhapura in Northern Sri Lanka in 1818. This cutting is believed to be a grafting of the original Bodhi tree from Gaya in India where Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is an honour to study and meditate at Wat Saket and the grounds contain accommodation for over 300 monks.

Information
Wat Saket is located near Democracy Monument on the Boriphat and Lan Luand Road Intersection. The wat is open daily 8 am- 5 pm and although entrance is free admission to the chedi costs 10B, have a coin ready.

The best time to visit is early morning or near closing, when the time to the top is cooler. During late October to Mid November Wat Saket comes alive the celebrate Bangkok’s temple fair. The festival lasts for nine days and features theatrical performances, circus shows, foods and souvenir stalls.

Getting There:
You can easily walk to the Golden Mount from Khoasan Road. Simply walk to the Gulliver’s end and follow the road round to the right. You will now be on Ratchadamnoen Klang, a busy main road, with Democracy Monument in the center. Walk straight down the road and as you pass McDonald’s on your right you will see the Golden Mount up ahead.