Erawan Shrine

Erawan Shrine
the Thao Maha Phrom Shrine
ศาลท้าวมหาพรหม
shrine of Lord Maha Brahma
A side view of Brahma
Religion
AffiliationHinduism, Buddhism
DistrictPathum Wan district
ProvinceBangkok
DeityPhra Phrom
Location
LocationGrand Hyatt Erawan, Ratchaprasong
CountryThailand
Erawan Shrine is located in Thailand
Erawan Shrine
Shown within Thailand
Geographic coordinates13°26′38″N 100°19′21″E / 13.44397°N 100.32256°E / 13.44397; 100.32256
Architecture
Completed1956

The Erawan Shrine, formally the Thao Maha Phrom Shrine (Thai: ศาลท้าวมหาพรหม; RTGSSan Thao Maha Phrom; '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 refers to Mahabrahma, the ruler of the Brahma realm in Buddhist cosmology.

The deity is popularly worshipped outside of a Hindu religious context, but more as a representation of guardian spirits in Thai animist beliefs, nevertheless the shrine shows an example of syncretism between Hinduism and Buddhism.[1][2] The shrine often features performances by Thai dance troupes who are hired by worshippers in return for seeing their prayers answered at the shrine.

  1. ^ McDaniel, Justin (June 2013). "This Hindu Holy Man is a Thai Buddhist". South East Asia Research. 21 (2): 191–209. doi:10.5367/sear.2013.0151.
  2. ^ McGovern, Nathan Michael (February 2016). "A Buddhist Cult Of Brahmā: Thick Description And Micro-Histories in the Study of Religion". History of Religions. 55 (3): 329–360. doi:10.1086/684274.