ERAWAN SHRINE

Description

Essentials about the Erawan Shrine in brief

The Erawan Shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma. It is located in the district of Pathum Wan, in the east of Bangkok. Those who wish to ask Brahma for money, love, professional success, health or enlightenment should definitely pay a visit to the shrine.

The history of the Erawan Shrine

The creation of the shrine is connected with the construction of the Erawan Hotel in 1956, during which numerous accidents occurred. Workers died on the construction site and a ship carrying marble for the hotel sank at sea. The superstitious construction workers refused to continue working, fearing incensed spirits from the construction work. An expert in astrology was asked for advice and a solution to the problem. He noted that the laying of the hotel’s foundation stone had occurred on a non-auspicious day and decided to erect a shrine dedicated to the deity Brahma on the grounds of the hotel. When the shrine was completed and inaugurated, the series of accidents stopped and the hotel was completed in a short time. In 1987, the Erawan Hotel was demolished and the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel was built in its place in 1991. However, the shrine still exists.

The Erawan Brahma

The deity Brahma is the God of creation, who created both himself and the world, the sky and people. The statue of Brahma was made of gilded plaster. It sits on a rectangular pedestal about 1.5 meters high in a relaxed pose called Lalitasana: one leg bent, the other hanging loosely down. The Erawan Brahma has four heads with four faces looking in all four cardinal directions. The faces all have slightly different expressions, but all are saumya (friendly and kind) and toshmya (pleased and satisfied). The eyes are open, meaning the god is alert. Each face has a pointed beard. Each head is covered with a crown decorated with lotus leaves. An additional crown is located in the center.

Traditionally, the god is depicted with four hands, but this statue has eight hands. Each hand holds an object with symbolic meaning. On the right side, these are Brahma Danda, the staff that can represent light, but also a weapon that stands for great strength; Chakra, the wheel of time that symbolizes the rotation of the world and represents air; Kalasha, the sacred vessel filled with holy water. Buddhists believe this vase contains the immortality elixir Amrita; and Jnana Mudra – this hand does not hold an object, but forms a gesture symbolizing wisdom and teaching.

On the left are Darpana, the mirror with three rod-like projections in which one beholds the universal soul (Atman); the conch shell, which makes a fearful noise that causes all enemies to tremble; the Vedas, the sacred book of knowledge; and Akshamala, a rosary-like chain used to count the ages.

The Erawan Brahma also has a sacred cord looped around his torso, extending from his left shoulder to his right hip. This cord is worn by Brahmins, but it is also the mark of a Hindu god. Above the statue arches a simple pavilion, built in typical Thai style and covered with a mosaic of colorful mirrors.

Ceremonies at the Erawan Shrine

The Erawan shrine has gained a certain international fame over the years. It is known for the fact that one can ask for money, love, professional success, but also health and enlightenment from the Brahma. If one’s wish is granted, one visits the shrine again to fulfill one’s promise. For greater wishes, a dance troupe is available to perform dances to the sounds of a traditional Thai orchestra to please the god. This kind of worship is so deeply interwoven with Thai life that one can almost speak of custom instead of superstition.

According to the instruction of the Brahmin expert, the best time to pay homage to the god is from seven to eight in the morning and from seven to eight in the evening. The best time to ask him for a favor is the evening time, before he retires to heaven for rest. When making a request, certain offerings must be made: seven krathongs (small containers made of banana leaves), which are said to contain flowers of seven colors; seven krathongs of sugar cane cubes, each decorated with a rose; seven wax candles; two green coconuts, trimmed top and bottom; a hand of bananas; and seven sticks of incense. Depending on the extent of the wish, seven garlands of jasmine or other fragrant flowers may also be offered. Fortunately, there are stalls in front of the shrine where one can buy the requested items. Penniless petitioners simply offer a wai (Thai greeting or obeisance by placing both palms together and holding them in front of the face or chest) to the god.

According to custom, once the petitioner’s wish has been granted, he should offer a traditional Thai dance to the god. For this purpose, an orchestra with traditional musical instruments and a dance troupe are at his disposal. There are several dance troupes that can be hired throughout the day for a certain donation. Incidentally, the dancers donate a certain amount to a fund, which in turn donates the money to hospitals throughout Thailand.