Sanctuary of Erawan

The sanctuary of Erawan (Thai: HT ศาลพระพรหม, marked San Phra Phrom ) is a sanctuary hindouist sheltering a statue of Brahmâ. It is located at the intersection of the streets Ratchadamri and Ratchaprasong in the district Pathum Wan of Bangkok, in Thailand.

The sanctuary of Erawan was built in 1956 like integral part of the hotel Erawan of governmental property, in order to entreat the bad fate which one believed caused by the fact of having begun the foundations on a nonfavourable date. A series of annoying incidents indeed delayed construction and a Astrologue was consulted to determine the causes and to propose a solution of them. From there, the construction of this sanctuary. The statue of Brahmâ was drawn and built by the ministry for the Art schools and was installed the November 9th 1956. The construction of the hotel thus could continue without another incident.

In 1987, the hotel was demolished and rebuilt to become the hotel Grand Hyatt Erawan .

Very run by the Inhabitants of Thailand for all kinds of prayers and offerings, the sanctuary is a very venerated place and especially constantly animated. A troop of dancers made there of the almost continual representations to honor the Spirit with the place. The followers find salesmen of birds on the spot to be released for indulgences, flowers to be offered, gold sheets to stick on the statue, etc

Erawan (Thai: เอราวัณ) is the Thai name of the mythological elephant Airavata, an white elephant which carries the god Indra in the religion hindouist.

Vandalism

Towards 1:00 the morning of the March 21st 2006, the statue of Brahmâ was vandalisée by a 27 year old man, Thanakorn Pakdeepol, which one believes sick mentally. After having destroyed the statue, the man was attacked and killed by witnesses. Two sweeping of street working for the district Pathum Wan was stopped.

Witnesses said that the man was held with the foot of the statue of plaster with a large hammer in the hands, and that it put it in parts. The head with four faces of the statue, its six arms and its weapons were destroyed. Only the base and part of the legs was preserved.

The sanctuary was closed then reopened with photographs of the statue to make it possible to the admirers to make their devotions. A new statue will be installed in two months. It will be made of plaster and a mixture of gold, bronze and other noble metals, as well as pieces of the old statue.

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