Airavata (The Three-Headed Elephant) - The Erawan Museum Thailand

October, 2005, Des and myself took a break to Thailand. One of the place in Thailand that
really fascinated us was The Earawan Museum

The Erawan Museum located at Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. It is about a few hours by bus from Bangkok.

Erawan Museum is Open Everyday from 8.00am to 6.00p.m

Admission is 150Baht for Adult and 50 Baht for Children.

The founder of this Museum is Mr. Khun Lek Viriyapant. One Day (a while ago), Mr Viriyapant had a visit from a Westerner who, during the course of the conversation, suggested the idea of constructing the most important building in town in the form of an apple. The "apple" according to the Westerner, played a crucial part in shaping of our human destiny ....

This suggestion was warmly welcomed by Mr. Viriyapant. However, he thought it is more appropriate to adhere to the Eastern Traditions and thus, instead of an "apple" he decided on the heavenly elephant "Airavata" of the Hindu mythology

In addition, Mr. Viriyapant wanted this three-headed elephant to be more than just the vehicle / transport of the god Indra. He wanted the elephant to be a symbol of the center of the universe..

As such, behold .... The Elephant of the Universe !!!! It is huge, a few storeys high and it symbolizes symbolically as the spiritual heart of the land where sacred objects of the land were housed and revered.

Mr. Khun Lek Viriyapant, envision, design and planned for The Erawan Museum. He then gave the design, ideas, imagination and the blue print to Mr. Khun Pagpean Viriyapant, his eldest son to begin construction.

Already halfway during the construction, the building had attracted many people who came to worship.

One of Viriyapant's wish for this building was to preserve his very own collections of antiques as a contribution to the Thai Cultural Heritage.

Many of this priceless objects of art were also held as sacred objects for the people of the ancient cultures.

According to the ancient Thai traditions. there objects were believed to bring blessings and prosperity to the land and its people, and therefore, must not be lost to "outsiders"

It was Viriyapant's concern to find a way that would keep these objects safe and that would also be suitable to their traditional functions.

As shown, these are some of his antique's collection, which he had the imagination and creativity of embedding it into his designs.

This pictures show the story of Creation "Adam and Eve" .... the apple story (Western influence)

On the very top of the Elephant is a shrine.

Spectacular view and superb artistic creation of the ceiling and its surrounding.

This "lion's" mouth is surrounded by antiques

At the very top of the elephant, this picture was taken at the elephant's belly.... image how high is the Three-Headed Elephant,

The planning, attention to detail for this project is just fantastic. Although both Khin Lek and his son Khun Pagpean passed away before the construction completed, their heirs continued their wish to create a place where ceremonies and festivals of Thai traditions might be held, and that would also serve as a museum to keep the memory of Khun Lek Viriyapant's life and work alive for future generations and for the world to see.

So, next time, if you travel to Bangkok, Thailand, do not miss this opportunity to see and experience for yourself, the "The Elephant of the Universe" .... The Erawan Museum

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