The Erawan Shrine, formally the Thao Maha Phrom Shrine ศาลท้าวมหาพรหม 'shrine of Lord Maha Brahma', is a shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, which houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. The name also refer to Mahabrahma, the ruler of the Brahma realm in Buddhist cosmology.
The shrine often features performances by Thai dance troupes who are hired by worshippers in return for seeing their prayers answered at the shrine.
Five other shrines dedicated to Hindu deities are located in the area as well: Phra Laksami (Lakshmi), Phra Trimurati (Trimurti), Phra Khanet (Ganesha), Phra In (Indra), and Phra Narai Song Suban (Narayana on his garuda).
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, injuries to laborers, and the loss of ...
The history of the Chedi at Wat Raeng (also referred to as Wat Daeng, meaning “Red Temple”) in Suphan Buri, Thailand, is tied to its status as an ancient, abandoned temple from the early Ayutthaya period (roughly 14th–15th century).
Wat Raeng is located south of Wat Sanam Chai in Suphan Buri, Thailand. It is an abandoned temple (wat raang) with no active monastic community, and its primary surviving structure is a single, ancient chedi.
The chedi is a round stupa, characteristic of the early Ayutthaya architectural style. Its base may have originally been octagonal, though severe deterioration makes this uncertain. The chedi’s bell-shaped body (anda) is relatively large compared to earlier U Thong-style stupas, with a throne (baldachin) and ringed spire elements. The topmost part, likely a harmika or finial (the “dewdrop” or jewel), has been lost due to damage over time. The surrounding area is open, surrounded by water, with scattered brick fragments indicating its antiquity.
There are...
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, also known as Wat Phra Mahathat, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the old city area of Suphan Buri Province, Thailand, specifically in Rua Yai Subdistrict along the western bank of the Tha Chin River. Its history spans several centuries, blending influences from the Khmer Empire and the Ayutthaya Kingdom, though exact founding details remain unclear due to a lack of definitive historical records.
Origins and Early History
The temple’s origins are believed to trace back to the Khmer period (approximately 11th-13th centuries), during the height of Khmer influence in the region. The central prang (a tower-like stupa) is thought to have been originally constructed as a gopura (gateway tower) during this era, reflecting Khmer architectural styles similar to those seen in Angkor. This structure, made entirely of clay bricks with a plastered exterior, symbolizes Mount Meru in Buddhist cosmology and was designed to house relics of the Buddha. The prang features a square base with an entrance niche and ...
Wat Phra Loi, located in Suphan Buri, Thailand, is one of the province’s ancient temples, with a history deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and religious heritage. While the exact date of its construction and its founder remain unknown, historical evidence suggests it was likely built during the mid-reign of King U-Thong, the founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1400), placing its origins in the early to mid-Ayutthaya period. This estimation is based on the architectural style of the temple’s ruins, including the brick ordination hall (Ubosot) and sema boundary stones, which are characteristic of that era.
The temple’s name, “Wat Phra Loi,” translates to “Temple of the Floating Buddha” and originates from a legendary event. According to local tradition, a white sandstone Buddha statue in the Naga Prok posture, believed to date back to the Lopburi period (11th–13th centuries), was discovered floating down the Tha Chin River (also known as the Suphan River). Villagers ...
