Erawan Shrine (Thao Mahaprom Shrine): A Great Heritage with Elegance in Bangkok

The Bear Team 6 min read

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Thailand is well-known for its enormous collection of attractive temples and places of Buddhist worship. The outstanding Erawan Shrine is one of them since it is an artful Hindu place of worship in the nation.

The Erawan Shrine in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), known in Thai as Saan Phra Phrom or Saan Thao Maha Phrom, has a great heritage with elegance. Locals and travelers regularly visit the shrine and love the free traditional dance performances frequently seen there. You will see devotees praying from good luck to blessings while many are there for a photo op. Whatever a traveler’s perception, Erawan Shrine is a must-visit destination in Thailand.

Unlike other temples, the Erawan Shrine is on one of the busiest sidewalks in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). The sweet scents of flower garland and burning joss sticks saturate the air to welcome you. So, if you want to see this elegant site, join us there.

 Fun Fact!

As for the namesake, “Erawan” is the Thai name for Airavata, the three-headed elephant, Brahma, was told to have driven.

A Worth Visiting Shrine in Bangkok

The Erawan Shrine in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) is a fabulous Hindu place of worship. It houses a monument of Phra Phrom, the god of creation, similarly known as Lord Brahma. He is full of humanity, compassion, understanding, and impartiality. The four-faced statue depicts these four virtues, each shining peaceful charity.

The Erawan Shrine captivates thousands of locals and tourists daily to pray for good fortune and prosperity and fulfill their hopes. Tourists go to the shrine to make proper donations, from floral garlands and food to fruit and wooden elephants. The elegant Thai dance troupes and Chinese Lion Dance players are too engaged throughout the day by worshippers at the shrine to see their prayers responded to.

Encountering the magnificent gilded portrait of the Brahma God and seeing fascinating Thai and Chinese concerts is a magical experience. It should become one of your remarkable periods in the city.

Attractions Near Erawan Shrine

Although tons of eating and shopping can be done nearby, the Erawan Shrine isn’t within easy walking distance of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the usual sightseeing stops in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). You can incorporate a holiday to Erawan Shrine with some of these other exciting sights in the area:

Jim Thompson House Museum

The Jim Thompson House Museum gives a fascinating cultural experience, short tours, and a beautiful garden. If you are a culture vulture, you will be excited to spend part of your day soaking in the beautiful art at Jim Thompson's house.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

Similarly, near the National Stadium Station, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre showcases local artists in an excellent facility. With some luck, you may even see a fashion show by local designers!

Lumpini Park

If you want to explore more of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) on foot, Lumpini Park is just a 15-minute walk south of Ratchadamri Road. The ponds, walking path, and Chinese pavilion offer a break from the city’s loud stride.

 Trivia!

For a more genuine experience, beat tour groups and visit Erawan Shrine during the morning rush hour (between 7 and 8 a.m.) when locals pray while on the way to work.

Things to Remember When Visiting Erawan Shrine (Thao Mahaprom Shrine) in Bangkok

• You won’t want to leave much time to visit. 
  
  
• Stop the busy morning times if you can.
  
  
• Be respectful; although the Erawan Shrine has become a tourist attraction, it’s still considered one of the city's most valuable Hindu memorials. And don’t get in the way of locals with little time to pray.
  
  
• Hopefully, you will see a Thai dance troupe perform or a Chinese lion dance. The dance troupes are not there for the visitors but preferably for worshippers to pay to perform as part of their worship.
  
  
• The shrine is ‘open’ from 6 am to midnight seven days a week and is in front of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, on the corner of Ploenchit and Ratchadamri Road in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok).

Unlike many Bangkok glamours, you don’t have to save hours of your time by visiting the Erawan Shrine. Many commuters pop past for a five-minute prayer on the way to work, and you can perhaps soak all it has to offer within an hour. Locals request that the preferable time for prayers at Erawan is 6-7 pm. Still, you should feel free to visit anytime.

It’s most astonishing in the early mornings, but you’ll be experiencing the space with that commuting crowd. Still, it’s a remedy for a good setting! If you’re lucky, you may discover that your visit overlaps with an action by the temple’s resident dance players; if you’re comfortable, you can commission one yourself! Begin your stay at the entrance and walk clockwise around the four faces of the shrine. 

The front view depicts employment and prosperity, the left defines knowledge, the back is for health, and the right is for affairs and interpersonal themes. Pray hard for the one most suitable to you!

Why Visit Erawan Shrine (Thao Mahaprom Shrine) in Bangkok?

The Erawan Shrine is one of Bangkok's most prominent places of worship, and there's always much to do if you wish to visit.

Many Thais and foreigners visit the Erawan Shrine to pay honor throughout the day, from the early morning until late at night. Flowers and fruits to elephants' teakwood are carried here as oblations to Phra Phrom to make their wishes come true. Cash contributions obtained from people are allocated to various compassions and poor hospitals in rural areas by an organization.

It has evolved into one of the most prominent worship attractions now. The worshippers engage in a Thai Classical Dance troupe or a vibrant Chinese Lion Dance in return for god's favor to help them. Visitors can appreciate seeing the performances and feel the prestige in the area.

Around the Erawan Shrine, there are numerous shopping centers, such as Central World, Gaysorn, and Amarin Plaza. Visitors can go in for shopping or just for a rest and out from the heat outside. There are furthermore five other Hindu divinities shrines in the area that you can go for a visit: Phra Lakshmi (Lakshmi), Phra Trimurti (Trimurti), Phra Khanet (Ganesha), Phra In (Indra), and Phra Narai Song Suban (Narayana on his garuda).

So, feel free to bring a stop there while you're in the area! It offers an excellent contrast between the sacred and business/commercial worlds.

How to Visit Erawan Shrine (Thao Mahaprom Shrine) in Bangkok?

This great shrine is in the Pathum Wan District, the energetic, commercial heart for significant shopping in Thailand’s capital!

From Bangkok's public transportation, there can be five ways to get to Erawan Shrine: subway, bus, ferry, taxi, or on foot. The cheapest way to get from the city to Erawan Shrine is by ferry, which takes 34 min. The quickest way to get from the town to Erawan Shrine is by taxi, which takes 6 min.

A direct bus leaves opposite the Thai Airways Building and arrives at Lang Suan, Bus Stop BTS Chit Lom. Services depart every 15 minutes and operate every day. The journey takes roughly 12 min.

The nearest BTS Skytrain station to Erawan Shrine is Chit Lom. However, you can walk from Siam Station (the busiest and largest Skytrain station) in around 10 minutes. Chit Lom is on the Sukhumvit Line.

Did you know?

Although visiting the Erawan Shrine is free, some people prefer to give an elegant gift. Cash from donation boxes is obtained to protect the area and allocated to charities.

Map & More Information

Erawan Shrine is a Hindu place of worship found in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). Both Thai and foreigners like to attend this place for prayer. Many foreign group tours are organized to pay homage to Phra Phrom here. Visitors here enjoy a Thai Classical Dance troupe and a vibrant Chinese Lion Dance paid for by the worshipers.