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A Gathering of the Gods
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Story : Vanchai Tan
Photos : Bansit Bunyaratavej, Panot Krairojananon |
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Standing on the busy Ratchaprasong
intersection, steps away from the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, the Meridien
President across the street, and the World Trade Center in the far corner,
the aroma of burning incense overwhelms the atmosphere. The visually
splendid display of traditionally clad Thai classical dancers, beautiful
flower garlands, candles and teak elephants showcase the spiritual
spectacle that is the Erawan Shrine or San Phra Phrom in Thai. Tourists
and Thais alike gather here to pay their respects to, ask for good fortune
and good luck in their endeavors from, or just to visit the awesome, four
headed, four handed Bhraman God residing there. |
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When the construction of the Erawan
Grand Hyatt Hotel was nearly completed in 1956, an astrologer was
consulted for an auspicious grand opening date. The astrologer instead
uncovered cosmically detrimental details in the construction of the hotel,
and it was advised that a Bhraman Shrine be built as a guardian force to
correct such errors. |
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Since the completion of the shrine, the
hotel, not to mention the entire vicinity of the Ratchaprasong
intersection, has dramatically flourished, convincing in particular the
local Thais, who are a community that has long embraced Brahman-Hindu
spiritual beliefs, and easily incorporated such in their highly
spiritually motivated cultural traditions, of the powers and good grace of
the Brahman God, Than Tai Mahaprom. Whether believed to have originated
inside a golden egg, inside a lotus sprouting from the Hindu God Vishnu's
navel, or from Vishnu himself, as various legends will have it, he is
regarded in Thailand as magnificent, and highly effective in granting your
wishes. That the Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation has collected 436,258,176.39
baht from donations up until now is a testament to the intensity of that
belief. Whether this is a reflection of the ostentatious and wayward
character of a city life of fast fame and fortune, or simply gratitude, is
for people to decide for themselves. But what cannot be passed up for
anyone passing through Thailand or living here is the opportunity to
witness for yourself, either the brilliance of the site itself or the
effectiveness of your prayers... |
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