Temple of the Golden Mountain Wat Saket in Bangkok

Description and is it worth a visit

Temple of the Golden Mountain or Wat Saket (Wat Saket and the Golden Mount) in the original is called Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan (Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan). The temple and the artificial hill were originally erected back in the days when the capital of the kingdom was Ayutthaya City. Later, starting from the XVIII century, the temple was repeatedly completed and improved by order of the kings of Siam, until it acquired its current appearance. When the capital moved to Bangkok in the 18th century, the temple was used as a city crematorium. It is said that the remains of more than 60 thousand people from among the poor population of Bangkok are buried on its territory at the base of the mountain. Now, of course, the temple as a crematorium is no longer used.

In general, this is a very interesting and famous temple in Bangkok, and it is definitely worth a visit if you have already managed to get acquired with the main trinity of Bangkok attractions: The Grand Royal Palace, Temple of the Reclining Buddha and Temple of the Dawn. The most interesting feature for tourists in this temple is that an artificial hill has been created on its territory, on which one of the temple buildings is located and a gilded chedi (pagoda). The height of the hill together with chedi is 76 meters. Until the time when skyscrapers began to be built in the city, the Golden Mountain Temple pagoda was the highest point of Bangkok on the east coast of the Chaopraya River (only the 88-meter-high Temple of Dawn on the west coast was higher). Going upstairs, you can see a great panoramic view of the Ratannakosin Island area of Bangkok (see Bangkok districts) from a bird's eye view. To climb up, you will have to overcome more than 300 steps (they say that exactly 318). When climbing up, you will pass by the bells, which you can safely ring, no one will tell you anything (just don't overdo it, they are very loud). It is believed that if you ring these bells, you will be lucky and healthy. Whether this is true or not, you can check for yourself. When you go upstairs and get into the room at the base of the pagoda, inside it you will need to find another staircase that will lead you to the observation deck, where the chedi is located, and from where you can see the city.

But the temple is not only known for this. This place is very revered and visited by Thais, because here, on the top of the mountain, in a special vault in the very center of the building, there is a piece of Buddha's ashes brought from India, but no one is told which one. You will not be able to see the piece of dust itself, only the golden sarcophagus in which it is stored is visible. It is located in the very center of the pagoda, and narrow corridors lead to it, where you can go, but only strictly following the directions indicated by the arrows. Every November, a grand Buddhist festival takes place in the temple, during which a huge procession ascends the hill.

The temple itself consists not only of a mountain and a pagoda located on it, as many tourists believe. In fact, the territory of the temple is quite extensive, and its main structure is located below. Perhaps it doesn't stand out from hundreds of other temples in Bangkok in any remarkable way, but if you get here, it's worth visiting it.

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