Wat Pho

A high wall encloses the grounds of Bangkok's largest temple, today still the location of Thailand's leading university. It borders the Sanam Luang, the "Royal Palace", on the southern side. Huge demons guard the entrances. The bot on a marble platform with pretty reliefs is one of the most spectacular in the city. The gallery surrounding the bot displays a variety of Buddha statues - about four hundred of them, all very valuable. An assembly hall (viharn) houses a Reclining Buddha 147 ft (45 m)... long and 50 ft (15 m) tall, the mother-of-pearl inlays in the soles of his feet representing the 108 characteristics of Buddha. The Lingham is always decorated in colourful cloths as Shiva's symbol of fertility, before which all women pray to be able to start a family. The four large chedis were built by the first Chakri kings, each chamber exhibiting its porcelain décor in a different colour.
Wat Pho has a particularly good reputation for teaching classic Thai massage. Even travelers can learn this art on 10-day courses or simply enjoy a professional massage treatment. more

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