Golden Mount temple-Wat Saket

Golden Mount is a small Buddha temple in Bangkok, close to Grand Palace. Visiting this place was not in our plan. We had half day to spare and a local guy guided us to this place.

Golden Mount has a Stupa erected on top of a small hill. It isn't natural but man made. Build by King Rama  3, 4 and 5. [More history on Wikipedia] Going to top involves climbing 300+ steps. Steps are well laid and climbing is very easy- similar to driving in circles around a hill to reach hill top, the steps circle around the stupa. Going on top of the Golden Mount lets us have a 360 degree view of Bangkok town. 

Above: Bells on the way to Wat Saket.

As we reached the top, a group of tourists/pilgrims was engaged in some ritual. They had a big strip of cloth and to which they were affixing flower like things. Once done, they held it and conducted a prayer. Some text in the prayer included :

Buddham sharanam gacchami I go to the Buddha for refuge. Dharmam sharanam gacchami I go to the Dharma for refuge. Sangham sharanam gacchami I go to the Sangha for refuge. Dutiyampi Buddham sharanam gacchami For a second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge. Dutiyampi Dharmam sharanam gacchami For a second time, I go to the Dharma for refuge. Dutiyampi Sangham sharanam gacchami For a second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge. Tatiyampi Buddham sharanam gacchami For a third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge. Tatiyampi Dhammam sharanam gacchami For a third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge. Tatiyampi Sangham sharanam gacchami For a third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Above prayer text and English translation sourced from this link, as I felt lazy to type again

The hill also had a small waterfalls. Not sure if it is natural, since the hill is too small to clash with the clounds and generate water.

 View of Bangkok town from top of Golden mount.

We were expecting to leave the footwear on the way, but they are allowed till very top. There were signs all the way saying "Do not leave the footwear here"

We took a tuk-tuk from Grand Palace at a cost of 40 Baht (INR 75). Few other  Buddha temples and Souvenir shops also exist in the campus. Entry is free. In November Golden mount will have its annual ritual.

Also see: Chinese temple near River kwai * Sleeping Buddha temple * Golden Buddha temple