Even though it is not a strictly Buddhist shrine like other places of worship in Bangkok, the Erawan Shrine is very famous and attracts a lot of devotees. There is also an interesting bit of history linked with it.
This shrine was built in the mid 1950’s during the construction of the Erawan Hotel at this location by the Thai government. As the story goes, during the initial stages of the construction there had been various problems and setbacks delaying the progress of the building; due to this the labourers requested that the concerned land spirits be pacified through religious performances. After much deliberation with astrologers the Thai government decided to honour Than Tao Mahaprom, the four-faced Brahma God, by erecting a shrine. The result was a splendid gilded statue of the Brahma God especially casted for this occasion. Consequently, the hotel flourished for decades before other lodging options came up in the city. But due to this the shrine gained fame all over the world, and therefore became one of the most interesting attractions in Bangkok.
From a religious perspective, the Brahma God Than Tao Mahaprom is known for its mercy, kindness, impartiality and sympathy. And these are the four features portrayed by the four faces of this God. And for the people of Thailand as Buddhism came with the influence of Brahma beliefs, the Erawan Shrine became popular very soon. And even today this shrine is visited by hundreds of devotees throughout the day. It is also a popular place of worship amongst foreigners to the city. Usually ceremonial offerings such as fruits, floral garlands, and elephants carved out of teak wood are considered appropriate offerings to make ones wishes come true.
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