The Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is located in the district of Phra Nakhon in Bangkok. It is also called the Wat Phra Chetuphon. It is near the Grand Palace of Thailand. The temple has made a great contribution by introducing the traditional and famous Thai massage.
Before the temple was made, the place was basically an area where the traditional medicine of Thailand was practiced and studied. This is evident in the many statues on the area that depict varying positions in yoga.
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is of the oldest and biggest temples in the Bangkok area. It is eighty thousand square meters that house approximately a thousand of images of Buddha as well as the ever famous Phra Buddhasaiyas or the reclining Buddha. It is forty six meters wide and fifteen meters tall. The Buddha has gold plating as its decorations and eyes made of mother of pearl (the soles of the feet has mother if pearl as well). This statue represents the passing of Buddha to Nirvana.
The whole temple or Wat Pho has 2 compounds. The north wall houses the Buddha and the place where massage is studied. The south part contains the Tukgawee which is the monastery of Buddhist monks and serves as the school as well.
The temple is known for being the first university of Thailand were Thai massage has been born. Many famous personalities frequent the place for a relaxing massage. On the walls of temple, text depicting the knowledge behind Thai massage has been inscribed.
You can get a Thai massage which costs reasonably when you visit the place. A more expensive herbal type of massage is also available. If you are interested, the place also offers lessons and courses on the art of traditional massage. You can go to the back of the temple to get these massages.
