Visit Wat Weluwanaram (Bangkok Naga Cave) (Bangkok)

Located 8 kilometers from Don Mueang Airport, Wat Weluwanaram is a temple still relatively unknown to foreign tourists, but it is starting to gain popularity thanks to its naga cave, which has been featured in more and more videos on social media. In my opinion, it is not a must-see on your list of things to do in Bangkok.

The history of the temple

The temple was founded around 1901 during the reign of King Rama V. Originally called Wat Kok, it was later nicknamed Wat Phai Khiao, which means the "Green Bamboo Temple", due to the abundance of bamboo on the site. Its current name, Weluwanaram, comes from the Pali word Veluvana, meaning bamboo forest. For a long time, the temple remained a local place of worship mostly frequented by residents of the Don Mueang district. Then, a chedi was built, featuring a room transformed into an artificial naga cave that claims to be the first Naga cave in Bangkok. Today, it is the temple's main attraction, drawing both foreign visitors and locals. Inspired by the mystical shrines of northeastern Thailand, it stands out for its colorful lighting and, of course, the massive naga serpents coiled around the pillars. The most impressive element is a huge 108-headed naga representing Ananta Nakarat. The atmosphere is mystical and somewhat magical, and it is true that it is beautiful and unusual for Bangkok. However, making the trip all the way from central Bangkok (I will explain how to get there below) might not be worth it, especially for a first trip, as there are so many other sights to see. Plus, as mentioned, the cave is artificial and smaller than it appears in Instagram videos.

What are nagas?

Nagas are sacred mythological creatures holding great importance in Buddhism and Southeast Asian popular beliefs. In Thailand, they are generally depicted as gigantic sacred serpents, sometimes with multiple heads, bringing protection and prosperity. Many legends surround them, particularly in Isan, the northeastern region of Thailand. One legend tells that the naga king Mucalinda protected Buddha during a storm by spreading his multiple heads over him. This scene is frequently depicted on Buddha statues.

What else is there to see besides the cave?

Above the cave sits a chedi, but you can only go up to the platform, which doesn't offer a spectacular view. On the other side of the street lies the original temple with its ordination hall, housing a large golden Buddha surrounded by four walls with highly colorful frescoes. These murals contain a fun little game: finding the 6 superheroes (well, 5 superheroes and Doraemon) shown on a poster at the entrance.