Opulent Wats of Thailand

In Thailand, the word temple is known as 'Wat'. In a country dominated by Buddhism, ornate temples are a fixture in almost every neighborhood. Even in far flung countrysides, it is not a surprise to see heavily embellished temples boasting intricate art, sculptures and architecture.

There are countless temples in Phuket and each can stand on it's own in terms of magnificent imagery and intensive symbolism. Each structure that decorates a temple is purposeful and corresponds on Buddhist theology of divine beings and deities.

The photo below is a shot I took at a temple inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok. My thai friend said this is a depiction of Hanuman, the divine monkey king in Buddhism. He is worshiped as a symbol of strength and intelligence. This is my entry to #architecturalphotography contest hosted by @juliank

^{↑Please click the image to view fullscreen ↑ - Iphone 5 | f 2.4 | 1/361 sec | ISO-50}

Living in Thailand for years has not diminished my awe in the meticulous ornamentation that characterize the 'wats' in Thailand. I am not knowledgeable in Buddhism, but it does not stop me to admire the opulent structures and quality of reverence my Thai friends display towards their place of worship.

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Wat in Nai Harn, Phuket}

Temples are normally a group of religious buildings; each with it's own purpose. This is more distinct when you visit larger temple complexes that are in Bangkok and other bigger cities. The above photo is the prayer hall of the Wat in Nai Harn. Inside this, is a Buddha statue with walls filled with colorful paintings about the life of Buddha.

Below you can see more snippets I took from my visits to different temples in Thailand. I'm always pleasantly astonished with each visit and try to take photos each time. I would highly recommend including a temple visit in your next trip to Thailand. It is an experience you do not want to miss.