Friday, November 16, 2007

Hindu Shrines Around the Ratchaprasong Junction

The highest concentration of Bangkok Shrines dedicated to Hindu gods and a goddess is around the Ratchaprasong junction. Each commercial building has a deity as its guardian and patron.
Of all the Bangkok shrines, the most popular among Thais and foreigners is the Erawan Shrine, a shrine visited by hundreds everyday. The shrine has an gripping legend that deeply influenced the fate and name of the hotel behind it, the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Another popular shrine with the locals is the Trimurti Shrine across the road in front of Central World Plaza. Trimurti refers to the Trinity of Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.
The Trimurti Shrine is one of the Bangkok Shrines with a very romantic allure. Called the Lovers' Shrine, many believe that those who pray here for true love will have their dreams fulfilled.
Located next to the Trimurti Shrine is the Ganesha Shrine, dedicated to Ganesha, the lord of success. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles.
Across the road in Gaysorn Plaza, a luxury shopping mall, is the Lakshmi Shrine a shrine dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, beauty and prosperity.
At the entrance to the Intercontinental Hotel, just next to Gaysorn Plaza, the Vishnu Shrine honors the Hindu god Vishnu, the protector of life, the preserver of the universe and the consort of Lakshmi.Opposite the Intercontinental is the last of the Hindu gods around Ratchaprasong junction. This is the Indra Shrine, for the supreme god of Hinduism Indra, the god of thunder and rain, the god of war and the deity for Amarin Plaza.

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