Erawan shrine

The Erawan shrine of Bangkok (ศาลพระพรหม) is consecrated to Lord Brahma, the creator. This shrine is very sacred to the Thai Buddhists and the deity is known to have wish-fulling and boon-giving powers.

So devotees are coming here to ask Lord Brahma for a favor to get a lover, to bear a child, to become rich, to succeed exams and so on...

The dancers, all women, wear glittering costumes. The fees for the dances depend on the number of dancers, starting from 260 baht. The length of the dance ranges from five to 10 minutes. Each dancer and musician gets 20 baht per performance and each earns arounf 800 to 900 baht a day.

Dances, which are performed in Erawan shrine before the image of Lord Brahma, are in the nature of Thai classic drama dance known as "LAKKORA JATRI" (ละครชาตรี). The dance to fullfill ones vow is called "RAM KE BON" (รำแก้บน). Religious dances are usually performed for making the deity happy and keeping him in good mood.

During the four-minute performance, dancers recite the name of the supplicant, who sits in front of them and faces the Brahma statue.

At the centre of the shrine is the handsome Brahma golden god. He has four faces and eight hands. The first three right hands hold a chakra, a staff and a pot. The fourth is placed on the chest. The four left hands hold a sceptre, Hindu scriptures, a conch shell and a string of beads.

The famous Erawan shrine is containing a four faces Lord Brahma statue. This shrine is supposed to bring luck. When making a request, devotees must bring a gift: flowers, garlands, elephants made of wood, banknotes, food, dances and so on...

Devotees offer elephants made of teak wood. The size of wooden elephants varies according to the extent of devotion shown by the devotee and according to what he can afford.

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