Description
The Erawan Shrine is a Hindu shrine located by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, at the Ratchaprasong intersection of Ratchadamri Road in Pathumwan district. The Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 as part of the government-owned Erawan Hotel to eliminate the bad karma believed caused by laying the foundations on the wrong date. The hotel’s construction was delayed by a series of mishaps, including cost overruns and injuries to laborers and so an astrologer was consulted, who advised building the shrine to counter the negative influences.
The Brahma statue was designed and built by the Department of Fine Arts and enshrined on 9 November 1956. The hotel’s construction thereafter proceeded without further incident. In 1987, the hotel was demolished and the site used for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.
The Phra Phrom is the Thai representation of the Hindu god Brahma, who is regarded in Thai culture as a deity of good fortune and protection. Worshipers of Phra Phrom usually offer incense, candles, jasmine flowers or jasmine garlands and young coconut milk (with water in them) in their worship, usually placing these offerings before all four heads of Phra Phrom, each head representing a different aspect of the deity.
A popular tourist attraction, it often features loud and vibrant performances by resident Thai dance troupes, who are hired by worshippers in return for seeing their prayers at the shrine answered. Children can purchase flowers and incense from inside the shrine gates and watch the performers as they sing and dance, play drums and chant. The area has many shopping malls nearby, including Gaysorn, Central World and Amarin Plaza and is a slice of calm in the center of this busy city junction.