Thailand: Erawan, the Mount of Indra, Wat Ratchaburana, Bangkok

Wat Ratchaburana (Rajaburana) was constructed in the late Ayutthaya era (1351 - 1767) by a Chinese merchant named Liap and was orignally named Wat Jeen Liap.

Erawan is the Thai name of the mythological elephant Airavata. Erawan is a mythological white elephant who carries the Hindu god Indra. According to the Ramayana, his mother was Iravati. According to the Matangalila, Erawan (Airavata) was born when Brahma sang sacred hymns over the halves of the egg shell from which Garuda hatched, followed by seven more male and eight female elephants. Prithu made Erawan king of all elephants. One of his names means "the one who knits or binds the clouds" since myth has it that these elephants are capable of producing clouds.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia

Theme:

RAMAYANA