A visitor attraction with a difference
The Erawan Shrine (officially named Thao Maha Brahma) is a Hindu Brahman, not Buddhist, shrine standing alongside the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel at the busy junction of Ploenchit and Rajadamri Roads in the heart of downtown Bangkok. Although not old, built in 1956, it is an interesting testament to the role of religion in modern Thai society. As one of the nations most revered and respected shrines, every week sees thousands of Thai and other visitors attend the shrine to make their devotions and requests for blessings.
Originally the shrine was located some 50 meters from its present position; at the site of the first Grand Erawan Hotel. Legend has it that the building site was so fraught with problems and delays caused by the site workers withdrawing, that the contractor called on a well known astrologer to assist. After some consideration he decided that the ‘founding stone’ had not been laid on a date which was auspicious and hence not in keeping with the tradition and custom of the day in Thailand. Subsequently, the shrine, which houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu creation god Brahma was inaugurated on an appropriate day. The success of the rest of the construction project and the hotel which was built is believed to be directly as a result of the blessings provided by the god. The shrine remains, more than 60 years later, as one of Thailand’s most revered religious sites.
The Erawan Shrine is located on the northwest corner of the Grand Hyatt Erawan property, near the Chit Lom stop on the BTS Skytrain. It consists of a golden statue of the four-faced Hindu god Brahma, named Than Tao Mahaprom. The statue sits beneath a glittering canopy, surrounded by offerings of flowers, incense and candles. Traditional Thai dancers, accompanied by musicians, dance nearby and assist the requests made by visitors.
The area is crowded with worshippers day and night and always wafting with incense smoke. It is also common to see people bowing as they pass by bus, taxi or above by Skytrain.
