Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Visakha Bucha Day: The Elephant of the Universe

Erawan Musuem  (พิพิธภัณฑ์ช้างเอราวัณ) on Visakha Bucha Day. Photographers don't forget your wide angle lens. If only the grounds were as wide as the statue is tall.  This statue of a three headed elephant is truly amazing.

Visakha Bucha Day

Vesākha is an annual holiday observed traditionally by Buddhists in South & Southeast Asia.

Visakha Bucha Day

Devout Buddhists circle the Erawan Museum three times during "Wian Tian" just outside of Bangkok in Samut Prakan.

Visakha Bucha Day

The fire produced by candle light.

Visakha Bucha Day

The monks led the worshipers three times around the temple.

Visakha Bucha Day

There are many different stories within the elephant ranging from large staircases, museums, shrines and the upper section has a celestial inspired stained glass ceiling.
Visakha Bucha Day

It is very difficult to portray an accurate scale of this statue. It is amazing.

Visakha Bucha Day

Sukhumvit Road as it passes through Samut Prakan on its way to the Cambodian border.

From Wikipedia's: Erawan Museum

The Elephant of the Universe. This three-headed elephant (Airavata) was born of Khun Lek Viriyapant's ideas and imagination. It was inspired by his wish to preserve his collection of antiques as a contribution to Thai cultural heritage. Many of these were priceless objects of art; they were also held as sacred objects for people of ancient cultures. According to ancient traditions, they were believed to bring blessing and prosperity to the land and its people, and therefore must not be lost to outsiders. It had been Mr. Viriyapant's concern to find a way that would keep these objects safe and that would also be suitable to their traditional functions. One day he had a visit from a Westerner who, during the course of the conversation, suggested the idea of constructing the most important building in the town in the form of an apple which, according to Western traditions of belief, played a crucial part in the shaping of human destiny. This suggestion was warmly welcomed by Mr. Viriyapant. He nevertheless thought it more appropriate to adhere to Eastern traditions and thus decided on the heavenly elephant Airavata of Hindu mythology. 

http://www.erawan-museum.com/ 
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293916-d1627677-Reviews-Erawan_Museum-Bangkok.html


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99/9 Moo 1 Bangmuangmai
Samut Prakan Bangkok 10270
Thailand



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