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"Giant Swing" Wat Suthat Thepwarararm
The enigmatic red arch at the temple Wat Suthat, was used in a spectacular festival in honour of Shiva - the Hindu God who predated Thai Buddhism.
The Giant Swing at Wat Suthat in Bangkok
The Giant Swing was constructed in 1784. It is one of the endearing landmarks in Bangkok province.
The festival gave thanks to Shiva for the rice harvest, and also to ask for the following harvest to be plentiful.
A procession around the city walls culminated at the Giant Swing, and teams of men would get the swing moving in a giant arc, in order to reach the coins.
The giant swing had to be reconstructed in 2005, with the use of six teak tree logs.
The giant red swing was used by participants in the festival, who tried to reach a bag of gold - or silver - coins in their teeth.
Legend says the coins were hung at the top of a bamboo pole around 15 metres above the ground.
Needless to say, there were fatalities in the frantic attempt to swing higher than 'competitors' in order to reach the gold.
Nonetheless, the festival was brought to a halt during the reign of King Rama VII.
Wat Suthat is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok province. It has distinctive architecture with many features that make it stand out from other temples in Bangkok.
Inside, there is a huge golden Buddha that dominates the interior of the Wat Suthat Temple.
This Buddha was brought to Bangkok from Sukhothai. The Buddha image - Phra Putatrilokachet - originally cast in bronze and stands 8.45m high.
The construction of Wat Suthat was started in the reign of King Rama I - the founder of the Chakri dynasty.
The full name of Wat Suthat Thepwararam translates into "The junction of heaven, at the throne of Indra".
The Wat is often referred to as The temple is popularly known as “Wat Sao Ching Cha” - after the Giant Swing.
Related Information and Help Guides
- Bangkok City Pillar Shrine: It is customary if you want to have a good life in the city, to worship at the City Pillar Shrine, and give offerings.
- Wat Phra Kaew: The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Royal Palace are the number one attraction insofar as the "Wats" are concerned.
- Wat Arun Bangkok Yai: Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan is called the "Temple of Dawn", after the Indian God of the Dawn - Aruna.
- Wat Pho Temple Bangkok: As well as being a major Buddhist Temple, Wat Pho has a school dedicated to teaching the proper Thai Massage - a cultural heritage.