Thai name พิพิธภัณฑ์ช้างเอราวัณ ถนนสุขุมวิทสายเก่า สมุทรปราการ
Photo : www.ancientcitygroup.net
The most astonishing landmark of Samut Prakan Province is perhaps the Erawan Museum. Since its completion, the colossal three-headed elephant statue (250 tons in weight, 20 metres high and 39 metres long) standing on the pink pedestal has become one of the most revered objects in the province, which has attracted large numbers of worshippers. Hidden underneath the gigantic bronze sculpture of Airavata elephant (Erawan in Thai) is a 3-storey museum housing numerous priceless antiques and religious objects. Many of them, in the past, were viewed as sacred objects that brought fertility and prosperity to the land.
The Erawan, the 3-headed elephant in Hindu mythology is not only the god Indra’s vehicle but also a symbol of the eastern cosmography. Therefore, each floor of this museum symbolizes the Thai belief of the universe. The basement represents the underwater world meanwhile the first floor represents Mount Meru, which is the centre of the universe according to the Buddhist belief. And the highest level, in the elephant’s belly, represents the heaven above Mount Meru. The softly lit ground floor exhibits various precious antiques and the figure of the naga human which is a half serpent. The upper level is beautifully decorated with the intricate stucco moulding with five-coloured porcelain inlays, fanciful supporting pillars and stain glasses. The top level is adorned with the exquisite art depicting the solar system and it is where the ancient Buddha images are housed.
Information : Tel. 0 2371 3135 to 6
Open : Daily, 08.00-17.00 hrs.
Admission fees : Adults 150 baht, children (6-15 yrs) 50 baht
Location : Sukhumvit Rd. (old route), Muang County, Samut Prakan Province (29 km southeast of Bangkok)
For taxi : พิพิธภัณฑ์ช้างเอราวัณ ถนนสุขุมวิทสายเก่า สมุทรปราการ