Hello Steemians,

Today I will talk about **Wat Pho**, a Buddhist temple complex in Bangkok, Thailand. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, it is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok.

The complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand (more than one thousand), including a 46 meter long reclining Buddha.  It is also regarded as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, which is still taught and practiced at the temple (1).

In this post, I will share images of the exterior of the complex, and in the second one, I will show images of the interior.

http://i.imgur.com/SYhOK8Q.jpg?1

<center> Entrance of the Wat Pho </center>

http://i.imgur.com/ZeBVzWS.jpg?2

<center> Chinese guardian figures </center>

http://i.imgur.com/p7IFgzM.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/wOPs3Rr.jpg?1

<center> Beautiful gilded door frames </center>

http://i.imgur.com/rvC4fhw.jpg?1

<center> The gong of the temple </center>

http://i.imgur.com/DIEDUIx.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/nlVmwVm.jpg?1

<center> Beautiful gardens </center>

http://i.imgur.com/mGDq55R.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/RKkUp0S.jpg?1

<center> Locals praying </center>

The temple is considered the earliest center for public education in Thailand.  There are marble illustrations and inscriptions on various subjects throughout the temple,  which has been recognized by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme.

There is also the Phra Mondop (Scripture hall), which is generally not open to the public, containing delicate Buddhist scriptures on palm leaves for the monks to study.

http://i.imgur.com/QalU4ni.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/ggqQ5UF.jpg?1

<center> Phra Mondop of Wat Pho </center>

Four huge pagodas (Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn), each over 40 meters high, commemorate the first four kings of the  Chakri dynasty. The one below (the blue one) was built by king Rama IV (2).

http://i.imgur.com/QeGZZBh.jpg?1

<center> Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn </center>

I can't imagine how much work was needed to make all these intricate carvings, but I find the result quite impressive. When the sun shines on them, they sparkle like jewels.

http://i.imgur.com/DXfadnI.jpg?2

http://i.imgur.com/U3v6u5H.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/5ohhNZI.jpg?1

<center> Intricately carved artwork </center>

And that's the end of today's post. I hope you liked it, and that you will follow me to the next one. Have a good day, and we'll speak again soon!

References:
1.Text from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho.
2.Text from http://www.watpho.com/historical.php?id=9&lang=en.