| The Lakshmi Shrine Bangkok is located in Gaysorn | | | | to it than that. |
| Plaza, an up-market shopping mall opposite the | | | | The 4th floor, where the shrine is located, was the |
| Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong junction, an area | | | | office floor and not a public area. This is unusual as |
| famous for shrines of Hindu gods and goddesses. | | | | shrines are normally outside the buildings. However the |
| Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess for good fortune, wealth | | | | security person "waied" at the very mention of |
| and prosperity. Her name in Sanskrit means aim or | | | | Lakshmi's name and led me to the roof garden. |
| goal. She was created during the churning of the | | | | There above all those floors of wealth and opulence, |
| ocean of milk and became Vishnu's consort. | | | | stands the Lakshmi Shrine glittering in the sunshine. |
| It's believed that Lakshmi was reborn each time Vishnu | | | | Lakshmi, completely in gold with a golden halo behind |
| was reincarnated. In 7th reincarnation of Vishnu to | | | | her head, is standing on a golden lotus in full bloom. The |
| Prince Rama in the Ramayana epic, Lakshmi became | | | | lotus buds in her hands sprout beauty and purity. From |
| his Princess Sita. | | | | her four arms extend righteousness, desire, wealth and |
| In October, Deepavali or Diwali (rows of lighted lamps) | | | | liberation from the cycle of life and death. |
| the Hindu festival of lights is celebrated. Hindu homes | | | | The Lakshmi Shrine is placed right at the corner of |
| are prepared to welcome Lakshmi, the household | | | | Gaysorn Plaza overlooking the junction. The Erawan |
| goddess, to bring wealth and good fortune. | | | | Shrine, popularly known as the four-faced Buddha, is |
| What is the Lakshmi Shrine dedicated to a Hindu | | | | across the road. In the neighboring Intercontinental |
| goddess doing in this Bangkok shopping mall? Intrigued I | | | | Hotel, Lakshmi's consort Vishnu astride his garuda is in |
| decided to find out. | | | | front of the hotel. |
| Gaysorn Plaza is a circular building, with a bright and | | | | There seems to be an order in the choice and |
| airy interior in white pastel that looks more like the | | | | placement of these shrines, perhaps to provide the |
| lobby of a 5 star hotel. | | | | balance and harmony so vital to the successful |
| Floor after floor of the mall is filled with jewelers, plush | | | | conduct of commerce. |
| carpets and fabrics, arts and craft, statues, sculptures, | | | | What's more, the Lakshmi Shrine is the only shrine |
| royal porcelain, glassware, cutlery, paintings, luxury | | | | around this junction dedicated to a Hindu goddess. The |
| watches, fine clothes and accessories. | | | | other shrines are of Hindu gods. |
| For the brand conscious, Bally, Burberry, Celine, Dior, | | | | If you're walking along the skywalk from Siam Square |
| Ermenegildo Zegna, Dunhill, Hugo Boss, Givenchy, | | | | towards Chidlom station you may just be able to |
| Gucci, Louis Vuitton, are all under one roof. | | | | catch a glimpse of the Lakshmi Shrine, up on the roof |
| With all this luxury, it seems natural to adopt a deity | | | | garden of Gaysorn Plaza, standing like a guardian |
| who brings wealth and good fortune. But there's more | | | | angel over the busy Ratchaprasong junction. |