Vishnu Shrine Bangkok
preserving the balance

The Vishnu Shrine in Bangkok is near the busy Ratchaprasong junction that's famous for the Erawan Shrine or what's popularly known as the four-faced Buddha.

However, the junction is also well known for a host of other Hindu gods and a goddess.

Located in front of the Intercontinental Hotel near the Chidlom skytrain station, the shrine is dedicated to Vishnu, one of the major gods in Hinduism.

Vishnu, the protector and preserver of creation, is known for his nine reincarnations or avatars.

The shrine portrays Vishnu standing on the shoulders of his steed Garuda, the king of birds.

High up in neighboring Gaysorn Plaza is the Lakshmi Shrine dedicated to his consort Lakhmi.

For the location of the Vishnu Shrine.

Garuda takes the form of a half man and half bird. It has the head, beak, talons and wings of an eagle and the body and limbs of a man. The Garuda is also the royal insignia and official crest of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Vishnu astride Garuda in front of the
Intercontinental Hotel, Bangkok

In the Indian epic, the Churning the Ocean of Milk, demigods and demons churn the ocean of milk to obtain immortality. Mount Madura is used as the pestle with the serpent Vasukri coiled around the pestle as a churning rope.

The Wasukri Pier is where the royal barges are launched for the Royal Barge Procession.

The demons at Wasukri's head

During the churning, the pestle sinks into the ocean. Vishnu appears as Kurma the Turtle, his 2nd reincarnation, dives below and allows his back to be used as a base for the pestle.

This dramatic scene, which symbolizes the perpetual struggle between good and evil, is captured in a 21 m long sculpture on display at the departure lounge on the 2nd level at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Vishnu on Mount Madura (left) and the demigods at the tail (right)

In his 7th reincarnation, Vishnu is Prince Rama in the Ramayana epic and defeats the demon Ravana who kidnaps his consort Princess Sita, Vishnu's consort Lakshmi reincarnated.

Across the street from the Vishnu Shrine is the shrine to Indra, god of thunder, storms and war, whom Vishnu eventually supplanted as the supreme god.

These shrines seem to be chosen with deliberate care to preserve that delicate spiritual balance in this famous junction that's ringed by Hindu gods and goddesses.

Location of the shrine

View Bangkok Shrines in a larger map

How to get there

Take the Green Line (BTS Sky Train) and get off at E1 Chit Lom Station. The shrine is located just outside the Intercontinental Hotel with 150 m of the station.

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For more on the other Hindu gods, please see Bangkok Shrines.

Shrines in Ratchaprasong

Erawan Shrine

Ganesha Shrine

Lakshmi Shrine

Trimurti Shrine

My Journey through Thailand Part I The First Steps

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