Erawan Shrine Bangkok Hindu Temple
The Erawan Shrine in Bangkok is a Hindu shrine in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. It was built to house the statue of the Hindu deity Brahma, known in Thailand as San Phra Phrom and by its official name, Thao Maha Brahma. In English, however, the name Erawan Shrine refers to the hotel that built it. Erawan is the Thai name for the mythological elephant Airavata, the vehicle of the Hindu deity Indra, and is often depicted as a three-headed elephant. Statues of Erawan grace the entrance to the Grand Hyatt Erawan, which is right behind the shrine.
The Erawan Shrine is located at the busy intersection between Ratchadamri Road and Ploenchit Road, in the Ratchaprasong shopping district of downtown Bangkok. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction in Bangkok, drawing sightseers because of the traditional Thai dancers who can be hired by worshippers as a thanksgiving offering for answered prayers.
The Erawan Shrine was built in 1956, during the construction of the government-owned Erawan Hotel. The construction had been plagued by all sorts of misfortune, including rising costs, accidents and lost shipments. Thai Rear Admiral Luang Suwichanphaet, a noted astrologer, determined that the moment for laying the hotel foundation stone was inauspicious. To correct it, a shrine to the deity Brahma and a spirit house had to be built on the hotel grounds. From then on, construction of the hotel progressed without further hiccups.
The original statue of Brahma was made of plaster covered in gold leaf. It was designed by Chit Phimkowit, a sculptor from the Fine Arts Department. It was installed on 9 November 1956, after which a celebration was held at the shrine every year on that date.
In the early morning of 21 March 2006, a man identified as Thanakorn Pakdeepol, 27, smashed the original Brahma statue to pieces. He was promptly attacked by angry bystanders, who beat him to death in the process. Two street sweepers were arrested for the murder. For a while, a piece of white cloth was used to conceal the broken statue's absence. A new copy was created from a mixture of gold, bronze, other precious metals and pieces of the original statue, and placed at the shrine on 21 May 2006, at precisely 11:39 am, a time deemed auspicious because the sun was shining directly over the shrine. Another replica, wholly of metal, was also made and kept at the National Museum.
Getting to Erawan Shrine
Chit Lom BTS station on the Sukhumvit Line is a convenient station for Erawan Shrine; Ratchadamri on the Silom Line is another nearby option. Check current pedestrian access and station exits before travelling. The old paragraph incorrectly named two different stations as the nearest.
The Chit Lom station on the Sukhumvit Line is the nearest one. You can also reach it by boat from Khlong Saen Saeb. Pratunam Pier is a 10-minute walk away on Ratchadamri Road.
Nearest BTS Skytrain: Ratchadamri (S1) on the Silom Line, and Chit Lom (E1) on the Sukhumvit Line.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erawan Shrine in Bangkok a Hindu temple or a shrine?
It is better described as a shrine than a temple. The site houses a statue of Brahma and is known locally as San Phra Phrom. If you are planning a visit, treat it as a place of worship and respect the rituals taking place rather than seeing it as a sightseeing stop only.
Why is the Erawan Shrine linked to the Grand Hyatt and Erawan Hotel?
The shrine was created in the 1950s during construction of the former Erawan Hotel, after delays and mishaps prompted advice that a shrine should be built on the site. Its name also reflects the hotel rather than the shrine itself, which can be confusing for first-time visitors.
How should I behave when visiting Erawan Shrine?
Dress neatly, keep your voice low and avoid blocking worshippers or photographers. If you see offerings, dancers or prayer rituals, observe from a respectful distance. As with any religious site, check current expectations locally and be ready to remove your shoes if signage or staff request it.
What is the easiest way to reach Erawan Shrine from central Bangkok?
The shrine sits in the Ratchaprasong area, so it is usually reached on foot from nearby BTS stations or by taxi, depending on where you are staying. Because station exits and street access can change, check a current map and allow extra time in busy traffic.
Is there a best time of day to visit Erawan Shrine?
Early morning or later in the evening is often more comfortable if you want fewer people around, but visitor numbers can vary by day and by local events. If you prefer a quieter experience, avoid peak shopping hours and be prepared for heavy footfall in the surrounding district.