Bangkok: Erawan Shrine
 

Read that this is an interesting place to take pictures and experience folk music and dance. Looks to be about a half mile from our hotel. Wondering if its worth a quick visit and if something else might be close by that we might see or do. Is early evening the best time to go?

I think its worth a short visit...we spent about 10 minutes there.

It is right off a skytrain station and you'll be very close to some good shopping, so why not??

Yes, early eve is a good time. This is quite an experience but to put it into perspective many Thais and non Thais have huge faith in this temple. It is a Thai temple but for a Hindu God, Brahma. It is across the road from Bkk's most upmarket mall, Gaysorn which has a GREAT home floor and very near my fav Bkk dept store, Gaysorn.

Sorry, that should read, my fav Bkk dept store, Central Chitlom.

they jsut recently oppend a big COACH boutique store next door too the shrine.. I should go and prey for nice leather jacket.

Yes you should go -- it's interesting to see the way the thais worship at it. It won't take long -- 10 or 15 minutes--and is easy to incorporate into a tourist or shopping day.

Orgy, isn't it just a wee bit hot in BKK for a leather jacket? Maybe you should pray for a briefcase instead.

I always stop at the Erawan shrine and offer some flowers and incense. I often make my visits around mid-day; you can go any time it's always busy.

By the way, I find you're guidebook's comment about it being "an interesting place to take pictures and experience folk music and dance" to miss the point of the shrine.

Kathie's right -- this is not the place to see folk music and dancing. It's the place to see people practice their faith.

hi...by any chance was the book referring to this Erawan Shrine (the big one)?

http://www.paknam.com/erawan.html

Most people go there to ask(pray) for a wish to come true and if it does they usually return and offer a classical dance(or something else) as thanks.

As others have said - this not a place to see classical dancing or folk music. Try making a wish(winning powerball number?) and then go shopping as Orgy has said!

The shrine is lovely and spending some time there is a wonderful cultural experience. I was amazed to see how open the Thai people are in regard to expressing their religious beliefs. The shrine fills with offerings of flowers, incense and food. The shoppers passing by stop to pray and ask for favors. There is an ensemble of 5 or 6 dancers, plus serveral musicians accompanying them. We sat on a bench one evening for a half-hour or so and soaked in the atmosphere. Then we left and had ice cream at the Baskin-Robbins in the mall next door. It's an easy break and very conveniently located. I would highly recommend it.

Kathie (or anyone else) - What is the etiquette of making an offering at a temple or shrine? This is something I've been curious about, not being Buddhist or Hindu. Did you learn it by watching people or did someone explain it to you?

Or maybe it's not as complicated as I think...

i think it is simple and you would see how to do it by just watching...kneeling in many cases and bowing several times seems to be the norm...i'm sure there are correct ways

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't mean to come across as disrespectful.
I understand the real focus now. Sure pays to get your info from more than one source.

Watch how the locals do it. It is simple, and you'll note that some people bow (often three times), some kneel. You buy flowers and incense from the vendors there.

am I totaly off on this, but Isn't Erawan the place where people give offering of things that resemble what they want. for instance a toy car means they want a huge truck that barely fits in most soi's..
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Some might do that but when I've been there the vast majority have been giving flowers or food

Yeah...it's worth a visit to. I always drop by there. Just take the skytrain to Chitlom. What hotel are you staying in? It's on the same street as the Erawan Hyatt and the Four Seasons and near the malls...Central World Center/World Trade Center...Gaysorn...Amarin Plaza...and the Thai craft store called Nayaraphan. Happy Travels!

I got more info from my Gf. I guess what ya do is pray for something then promis too give a gift or do something too amuse the budha. many people pay the dancers too perform as a thank you..

she says almost anything is fine "you could run around naked, if thats what you promised him and the wish was forfilled"