Legend says, Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine wasn’t born of simple devotion. It rose from misfortune. Here at the Erawan Shrine, we stand where a hotel project faced endless setbacks.
In 1953, construction began on the Erawan Hotel. The builders appeased the land deity. Yet, delays and accidents plagued the site. Rural Thai workers grew fearful and stopped working. The contractor sought advice from an astrologer. The astrologer found the foundation stone was laid on an inauspicious date.
To reverse the bad luck, they needed a shrine. It had to honor Brahma. On November 9, 1956, the Erawan Shrine was inaugurated. This date was carefully chosen. The hotel’s construction then proceeded smoothly. The Erawan Shrine’s legend began to spread.
Thais and foreigners flocked to the Erawan Shrine. They sought blessings from Brahma. Many foreign visitors mistakenly call Brahma the four-faced Buddha. Brahma is a Hindu god. Thais call Brahma Than Tao MahaProm or Phra Phrom. The shrine was named Erawan. It got its name from Indra’s three-headed elephant.
When the Hyatt hotel chain took over the Erawan Hotel, they kept the Erawan Shrine. They wisely adopted the name Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel.
But the Erawan Shrine has also seen tragedy. In 2006, a mentally ill man destroyed the Brahma statue. He was beaten to death. A new statue made of nine metals replaced the original. In 2015, a bomb exploded near the Erawan Shrine. It killed 20 and injured 125. Yet, the statue suffered minimal damage.
Despite these events, the Erawan Shrine remains a Bangkok legacy. Thousands of worshippers visit every day. They seek blessings and fulfill promises. If you make a promise to Phra Phrom, you must fulfill it. This is why dance troupes often perform here. People hire them to give thanks. Celebrities from Hong Kong once visited to pray for success. One star, Deborah Li, supposedly performed a striptease after her big break.
Remember to be careful what you promise here. The Erawan Shrine is a powerful place. It reflects Thailand’s blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. Five other Hindu shrines are nearby. These honor Lakshmi, Trimurti, Ganesha, Indra, and Narayana.
In March 2020, incense and candles were banned at the Erawan Shrine. This was due to health and environmental concerns. Today, the Erawan Shrine stands as a testament to faith. It shows resilience. It is a blend of tradition and modernity in bustling Bangkok.