Erawan Musuem

Just outside Bangkok is the Erawan Museum. This beautiful place is devoted to Erawan (or Aoravata in Hindu), the 3 headed (33 headed) Elephant of Indira.


The centerpiece of the museum is the monument to Erawan. The picture does not do justice to the size of this figure. It is extremely large and houses a museum. Once inside the Elephant, one is exposed to exquisite art and an atmosphere of contemplation.

Worshipers at the base (entrance) to the Erawan monument.

Now we go inside the Elephant. The experience is divided into three sections, or three "worlds". First is the world of Naga, the multi-headed cobra that saved The Buddha. In this area, photos were not permitted. The visitor was given a history of how the museum was constructed.

The next level is 'The Human World". After taking off our shoes we entered the base of the monument. The first picture is looking up the staircase to the image of the Guaynin, the Bodhisattva of compassion. The next are a closeup of Guaynin and other sites from 'the Human World"

To reach the next level one must climb a winding staircase located inside one the elephant's legs, and at the top of the winding staircase is an option elevator to continue up further, inside the elephant's stomach or Tavatimsa Heaven. Here are some priceless items, some ancient artifacts (which I was not allowed to film). I was however able to take pictures of the central Buddha statues