photofun 4 u com: temple

10 Must-See Temples in Bangkok

There are more than 400 wats (or temples) disseminated all around Bangkok but everyone rushes to three most famous ones: Wat Pra Kaew, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. But where do you go after that? What other temples are worth visiting and why? Where are they? There is no way to see them all but we have seen a lot, including the infamous David Beckham Temple (yes, it does really exist), one swallowed by a giant tree and even one that was used for executions! Here we bring you 10 Must-See temples to visit while in Bangkok and fortunately many are located near the Grand Palace, perfect for a day of fun exploration. Just remember to not only to bring your camera, but also to wear long light pants, a tee shirt that covers your shoulders and proper shoes as some temples will not allow flip flops. Drink lots of water and wear a hat or cap, as it can get real hot out there.

The Trillion Dollar Treasure of Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The famed Padmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the creator of the universe, in Thiruvananthapuram, in the state of Kerala, has fascinated India for many years. In centuries past, kings and dynasties had donated gold and jewels to the temple, sometimes weighing crown princes approaching adulthood and donating an equivalent weight in gold. It was rumored that these treasures are still hidden inside secret vaults beneath the ancient temple.

Nobody knows how old the temple really is. Some scholars say it was established over 5,000 years ago. Even as early as 2,500 years ago, Padmanabhaswamy temple was known for its unimaginable wealth. The temple is mentioned in several Hindu texts belonging to the period between 500 BC to 300 AD, wherein it was referred to as the "Golden Temple". Ancient Tamil literature and poetry refer to the temple and even the city as having walls of pure gold.

padmanabhaswamy-temple-5