Learn more about Thailand, Buddhism and Wats on Buddhist Tours to Thailand. The national religion of Thailand is Theravada Buddhism with 90% of its population following and practicing it. Theravada Buddhism is an orthodox Buddhist sect, which keeps the original doctrine and tradition succeeded from the Buddha. Along with Thailand, it is practiced in Sri Lanka and Myanmar while Mahayana sect is popular in China and Japan.

On Buddhist Tours to Thailand, do visit the 'Wat', which literally means 'Temple'. Wat has played a pivotal role in development of the society, art, education, moral and values ever since they came into existence. 'Ubosoth' is the most important building in a Wat where religious ceremonies take place on religious days and important occasions. 'Sara Kara Parianya' is the next important place where people gather for merit making like listening to discourses, praying and giving food to the monks. The most usual feature of a Thai Wat is a 'chedi' or a pagoda, which is a conical shaped roof with a spire. The spires adorned with gold were built to keep the sacred relics of the Lord Buddha.

On Buddhist Tours to Thailand, learn that there are 31,200 Wats in Thailand some of which are built to perform religious functions while the others were built as residential quarters of the monks. Wats in Thailand can be classified into two categories, namely, the Royal Temples built by the royalty or are under their sponsorship and Common Temples. there are 200 Royal Temples in Thailand.

Visit the important Royal Temples on Buddhist Tours to Thailand:

Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok

Located on the Thai Wang Road adjacent to the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho is the oldest and the largest Buddha temple in Bangkok. The temple has the gold plated image of reclining Buddha with Mother of Pearl soles. It is believed to be the 'Thailand's First University' because of the murals, inscriptions and statues, which provide knowledge to the people on variety of topics like literature to warfare, archaeology to geology, astronomy to medicine and meditation to traditional Thai massage.

Wat Mahathat, Bangkok

Wat Mahathat is nestled between Fine Arts Silpakorn University and Thammasat University of Law and Science a little towards the north of the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok. Founded in the 18th century AD, the ancient temple existed even before the founding of Bangkok. The temple was altered to a large extent after one of its monks, the young Prince Mongkut, later became King Rama IV of Thailand. The temple is the center of the Mahanikai School of Buddhism and a seat of monastic learning for members of this sect throughout Southeast Asia.

Wat Suthat, Bangkok

to enshrine the 25-foot tall colossal statue of Phra Sri Sakyamuni Buddha, Wat Suthat was built in the early 19th century in Bangkok. This statue was brought to this place on a boat from Sukhothai. The wihan of the temple is tallest in Bangkok built to accommodate the statue comfortably. The wihan is in a large cloister whose outer wall is lined with more than 150 Buddha images. These statues are in various stages of preservation, since each statue is adopted by a benefactor to make merit for a departed soul of a loved one, who may be buried in the base or the wall next to the statue of Buddha.

Wat Phra Pathom Chedi, Nakhon Pathom Province

Wat Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom Province is one of the largest pagodas in the world and one of the most venerated Buddhist shrines in Thailand. Constructed more than 2000 years ago, the original pagoda was built in the shape of an upside down bowl. At the command f the king Rama Iv, a new pagoda was built covering the existing one in 1853 AD. A replica of the original pagoda can be seen towards the south of the present pagoda.

Wat Phra Buddhabat, Saraburi Province

Built during the reign of King Tham of Ayuthaya, Wat Phra Buddhabat in Saraburi Province enshrines the 2 m long footprint of Lord Buddha. The footprint is protected under a square edifice with a pyramidal superstructure called a mondop. The interior of the mondop is done with combination of red and gold design. A mat made of pure silver preserves the floor.

Thailand Hotels Tours offers online booking requests for tour and tour packages to Buddhist Tours to Thailand. For more queries or information, kindly fill up the form below.