Wat Pho – Home of world’s largest Reclining Buddha

In the series of Buddhist Shrines I have visited in the past, I have presented before my friends Sanchi Stupa and Sarnath at Varanasi. Today I will bring for you WAT PHO – House of world’s largest reclining Buddha in Bangkok.  It was the Christmas of the year 2011 when we visited famed Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. & what an incredible experience it turned out to be! It was a scenic drive from hotel to the temple. Wat Pho turned out quite unique in many ways for us at least due to sprawling lawns, Buddha Statues, Buddhist architecture and reclining Buddha. Wat Pho houses many temples in the campus and it needs one full day to enjoy its beauty, serenity and spirituality.  I was super excited to visit reclining Buddha but our guide suggested that we visit all the temples in the campus before finally visiting reclining Buddha. We had to heed his advice and we did!

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is located behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and a must-do for any first-time visitor in Bangkok. This is what we did. It was our first tourist destination as soon as we stepped out. The ticket cost that time was 50 Baht which has been increased now to 100 Baht, this is what I know.

We bring before you the exclusive photo-essay of our trip:

Wat Pho is one of the largest temple complexes in the city and famed for its giant reclining Buddha that measures 46 metres long and is covered in gold leaf. It’s an easy ten minute walk between here and the Grand Palace, and we recommend coming to Wat Pho second, because even though the golden Buddha here is just as popular many people don’t take the time to wander around the rest of the complex so the experience tends to be far more relaxing. This is also a great place to get a traditional Thai massage. Wat Pho is often considered the leading school of massage in Thailand.

The highlight for most people visiting Wat Pho is the Reclining Buddha. The figures here are impressive: 15 metres tall, 46 metres long, so large it feels like it has been squeezed into the building. The Buddha’s feet are 5 metres long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious ‘laksanas’ (characteristics) of the Buddha. 108 is a significant number, referring to the 108 positive actions and symbols that helped lead Buddha to perfection.

You’ll need to take your shoes off to enter, and if you would like a little good luck, we recommend purchasing a bowl of coins at the entrance of the hall which you can drop in the 108 bronze bowls which line the length of the walls.

When we drop small pennies in the bowls, they make a nice ringing sound and even if your wishes don’t come true, the money goes towards helping the monks renovate and preserve Wat Pho.

Glenfiddich and NDTV Good Times launch ‘The MAVERICKS’

Glenfiddich partners with NDTV Good Times for a short series: ‘The MAVERICKS’. Hosted by the elegant & eloquent Rahul Khanna, this three-part series will begin on 3^rd September 2016 at 10 pm on NDTV Good Times, with subsequent episodes being aired on 10^th and 17^th September. The series brings to life the story of the maverick whisky makers of the Dufftown, from the Scottish Highlands. Whisky-making is the essence of Dufftown, and the world’s most award-winning single malt Scotch whisky comes from this little vibrant area.

Rahul Khanna at the Glenfiddich and NDTV Good Times Launch Mavericks Short Series Show

A maverick in himself Rahul Khanna takes us through the story of legends who have introduced single malt whisky to the world. Set in quaint and picturesque Dufftown, the series begins from the ‘Valley of the Deer’, on the banks of the River Fiddich, where the founder William Grant nurtured a dream to make the ‘best dram in the valley’. This is where Glenfiddich got its name from.

Rahul takes the viewers through the journey of the William Grant and Gordon family into making Glenfiddich as the finest whisky the world has ever known. This traces the innovation and the pioneering outlook which this successful family run business embodies along with its’ contemporary global orientation that salutes the true maverick spirit the world over. The show was unveiled over an exclusive gathering at The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi.

Rahul Khanna, Bollywood actor said that “The humble origin of Glenfiddich is certainly awe inspiring for me since nobody would have ever thought that a small and quaint setting such as Dufftown would become an important part of the global whisky map. Additionally, this experience has left me richer not only in knowledge and appreciation for Glenfiddich, but also in spirit as it was a privilege to be a part of this exciting series. Whisky fans will certainly love to watch this carefully written story of the Mavericks of Dufftown”

Shweta Jain, Head of Marketing at William Grant & Sons said, “Glenfiddich has always been at the forefront of innovation; recognized as both the world’s most awarded single malt and the brand that challenged the norm by taking single malt beyond Scotland’s borders to create the category as it is known today. With this extraordinary series “The Mavericks” on NDTV Good Times, Glenfiddich brings to fore the amazing story of evolution of Malts and the various fascinating details that go into making the most valued spirit in the world & very much so in India”

GLENFIDDICH, INDIA

 Glenfiddich is a single malt Whisky owned and produced by William Grant & Sons Distillers Limited. An independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and still controlled by the fifth generation of the family. The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry® and, most recently, Tullamore Dew Irish Whisky. Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands.