Erawan Shrine in Bangkok
Erawan Shrine in Bangkok (PhuchayHYBRID / Shutterstock.com)
Who the center of Bangkok can visit the Erawan Shrine hardly miss. In this story you can read what happened in Bangkok at the time and to what the origin of the Erawan shrine is due.
Around 1955 a hotel was planned in the Ratchaprasong district. However, there was bad Karma about the project, because the foundation was planned on the wrong date, among other things. A number of mishaps and setbacks continued to plague the project, even a ship carrying Italian marble sank. Construction was halted.
On the advice of a well-known astrologer, Admiral Luang Suvicharnpaad, it was started to build a Buddha shrine first to avert these negative influences. His advice was promptly followed. This sanctuary was developed and built by the Department of Fine Art. The statue is made of bronze, has four faces and six arms like the Hindu God Brahma. In his hands he holds various objects, including a shell. The statue stands in a house of protruding arch patterns in a Khmer style and was opened on November 9, 1956.
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The construction of the hotel has now continued without further problems and opened as the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Since that time, millions of Thai people and others have visited this shrine and has a huge positive effect and spiritual revival after visiting this shrine called Sam Phra Phrom. Dance groups also come here to pray for prosperity. There is even a dance dedicated to it known as the Ram Ke Bon. All funds donated here are distributed among 265 hospitals in areas where people with little money live.
A few years ago, the statue was destroyed by a mentally disturbed man. A mob of angry Thai lynched him. The statue was later repaired and can be admired near the Skytrain Chitlom, towards Ratchadamri Road at the intersection of Ratchadamri Road and Ploenchit Road.
– Relocated in memory of Lodewijk Lagemaat † February 24, 2021 –
A few years ago, a bomb was placed here by means of a backpack, resulting in many deaths!
Thai police later said they had caught the perpetrators. Internationally, there is great doubt about this, including among human rights organisations. Communication by the Thai police was also very messy. I sometimes go near the Erawan Shrine, but I never feel comfortable there and I always make sure to get out quickly.
“Dance groups also come here to pray for prosperity” Pray? It's just a commercial game. Pay first and then you get down on your knees and depending on the amount paid, more or less ladies make a dance to reinforce the prayer.
Correct Joseph. They make a good living with dancing and selling elephants of all sizes.
You don't have to pay. you can buy candles with incense sticks or you can even hire the dancers. But nothing is mandatory. In fact, a Maria chapel or church where you can buy and light candles is no different.
The place is mainly intended to ask a favor. By having a dance performed by the dancers, the image would be propitious. A spicy detail. A lady once asked for a favor, promising that she would dance naked in front of the statue. The requested favor came true. The entire area surrounding the statue was surrounded by cloth and the woman could do her dance.
I have never understood why the great masses of India are not Buddhists: or does the proverb “one is no good in one's own country” also apply here?