Bangkok has a lot of amazing architecture local buildings, especially the religious places like “Wat” or temples. Many of these Bangkok temples were built since Ayutthaya period(One of the former capital cities) Some of them are now also school in their community. Some of the others become Bangkok attraction.
In the neighborhood of our hostel, there is one temple which is both a Bangkok attraction and supported the school for locals.This temple is also one of the temple in Bangkok which is famous for making merit, feeding the cows and donating the coffin for the poors and homeless people. Yes, we are talking about Hualumphong temple. It is just 5 minutes walk from our Everyday Bangkok Hostel. If you start from the Samyan MRT. just walk the same direction to the MRT parking lots. You’ll see the front gate of this Bangkok attraction.
Wat Hualumphong temple is located on Rama IV Road. There are surrounded by Si Lom Road and Surawong Road in the Southeast, and Si Phraya Road to the Northwest of the temple. It was renovated in 1996 during the year of the 50th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of King Rama IX. The symbol royal seal of this golden jubilee year which is a feature of two elephants flanking a multi-tiered umbrella is mainly used for the temple decoration.
Inside the temple area which is a large one, there are many one-story buildings. Under the ubosot platform, it displays a lot of shrines dedicated to famous Thai Buddhist figures, King Rama V and Hindu god. There is an area you can rent the sacred object to worship. You’ll also notice the stable of the cattle ( including cows and buffalos). You can make merit by feeding them with food and buying them from being slaughtered. There are a candle-making area where you can choose a piece of wax disc with the symbol of your birth animal year on it and melt it to make a big candle. You can float some flower-shaped candles as well.
One of the interesting activities here is the coffin donation. Next to the temple, you’ll see the chinese shrine where many locals come to pray and make a wish. Here you can donate money to pay for coffin for poor and homeless. If you don’t want to go through the temple. You can go direct to the Chinese shrine next to the MRT exit. There is a office room where you can contact to donate the money. Then you’ll get a small pink paper to write your name down and then glue it to the coffin. Then it’s done!
There is nothing better to end your one day trip in Bangkok with a good Thai street food for dinner in front of the temple, let yourself relax under the hot shower,and then lay down in soft pillow on clean bed. All of this moment you’ll get when staying in our Everyday Bangkok Hostel. Check out your room for the best hostel in Bangkok here at www.everydaybangkokhostel.com
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