Worshipping the Gods of Ratchaprasong at 8 Shrines in Bangkok

Thai people are religious is nothing new. But did you know what exactly they do in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong district? At the nine shrines of Ratchaprasong, a community awash with shopping malls, Thais worship several Brahmin, Hindi, and Buddhist gods and goddesses. Donating fragrant Mexican marigolds, they come to pray for good luck, prosperity, and love at shrines in Bangkok. And so can you.

If you use TAGTHAi’s Bangkok Pass on your travels, you’ll get a free marigold flower set and much more. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do in Bangkok at the shrines of Ratchaprasong. We also delve into the reasons behind revering several gods and give directions on how to get to those places of worship.

Local Beliefs and the Reasons Behind

For Buddhist followers in Thailand, the number nine is a lucky number. It represents progress. Therefore, while visiting all nine shrines in a day appear to be a rush, Buddhists regard it as an auspicious way to make merit. In other words, they aim to pray at all nine shrines in one day to be blessed with good fortune, success in business, love, and progress in life.

If you’ve been thinking about temples in Bangkok to visit, check out the shrines of Ratchaprasong and carry a bunch of Mexican marigolds with you.

Ratchaprasong’s Eight Shrines

All eight shrines are within walking distance of one another around the Ratchaprasong intersection, commonly known as the crossroads of the Gods. The first eight are inside or outside of hotels and shopping centers. and there is one additional shrine on the premises of a police station.

1. Erawan Shrine – To Address Anything in Life

One of the most well-known shrines in Bangkok, the Erawan Shrine hosts the king of the gods, the four-faced and four-handed Brahma, the God of Creation. No wonder it’s also one of the most-visited shrines in the Thai capital. The glittering Brahma carrying magic beads, a magic water jug, holy scripts, and a lotus blossom is an eye-catching sight, as is the image made of gold.

Impressive is also the meaning of each of the four faces, from career and romance to money and health. Pray to all four faces and make a wish as you catch the sweet scents of joss sticks and flower garlands. And should Brahma answer your prayer, it’s best practice to return and express your gratitude by placing an image of an elephant on the table before Brahma. Popular with tourists, the traditional dance performances are actually for particularly grateful people whose prayers have been answered.

Open daily, the Erawan Shrine sits between Erawan Plaza and the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel at the corner of the Ploenchit and Ratchadamri Roads near Central World Shopping Mall. It’s a ten-minute walk from BTS Skytrain Station Siam, and BTS Station Chit Lom is even closer.

2. Ganesha Shrine – To Improve a Creative Career

Ganesha, the elephant-headed, human-bodied god of success, is known for his intelligence, might, and virtue. He’s the son of the goddess of mercy and the god of destruction. Ganesha wields a short-handled trident, a broken tusk, rope, and beads. And wrapped around his belly is a snake that represents power from the inside.

Ganesha is thought to guard individuals in education and the arts. He’s particularly revered by singers, writers, and students looking for success in their careers and studies. The Ganesha Shrine awaits at the entrance to Central World.

3. Trimurti Shrine – To Find Love

Looking for love? Then tall and handsome Trimurti, the God of Love with its five heads, is for you. He’s actually a mix of the creator Brahma, the protector Vishnu, and the destroyer Shiva. Clad in golden armor, the God of Love is said to visit the earth Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9.30 am and 9.30 pm. That’s when most lovelorn people come to pray. Light candles or incense, open a red Fanta bottle, and put a straw in it as you worship Trimurti.

Remember to come back with sweets or coconut water if you find romance. The Trimurti Shrine is in front of Central World, too.

4. Umathevi Shrine – To Regain Balance in Family Life

Looking for better times with your family? Maybe the Goddess of Compassion named Umathevi can do something about it. She’s the wife of God Shiva, the god of destruction, and takes family matters seriously. Popular with ladies, God Umathevi is well-known for her commitment to her spouse and family. This god sits outside of the Big C Rajadamri Supermarket, just opposite the shopping haven Central World.

5. Lakshmi Shrine – To Get Wealthy

Now what to do in Ratchaprasong when you’re looking for wealth? Lakshmi is one of the three most powerful deities and the Goddess of Riches and Fortune. Naturally, people worship her for money, fortune, and success in business matters, yet she’s also famous for her beauty.

Standing on a giant golden lotus blossom pedestal, the four-armed Lakshmi is quite an eyeful. She’s dressed in a long green robe and carrying two lotus blossoms that are wrapped in bracelets. A golden crown embellishes her head, and dangling from her body are pearl threads. Bubbling underneath the base is a circular waterway with running water, where lotus blossoms float.

The Lakshmi Shrine is on the fourth-story rooftop of Gaysorn Village Mall, across from Central World.

6. Jatulokbal Shrine – To Stay Protected

Also on the fourth floor of Gaysorn Village’s outdoor terrace, the Jatulokbal Shrine is the latest of the nine shrines in the Bangkok Ratchaprasong area. It’s just around the corner from Lakshmi.

Jatulokbal, the God of Four Directions, defends the four cardinal directions. He combines four of the most powerful gods: Vesuwan, Thao, Kuvera, and Todtarode. Each of Jatulokbal’s four faces represents one of those four gods, and they’re responsible for the direction Jatulokbal is looking in.

Now you’re probably wondering who Jatulokbal can help. Well, his goal is to keep the world at peace and to safeguard people from danger and evil. Therefore, people in peril or those with dangerous jobs worship him. He’s also a guardian of the Buddhist religion and the spear, sword, disc, conch shell, scepter, and a bag with golden coins he holds epitomize that. His statue is a lovely mix of blue and gold.

7. Indra Shrine – To Get Blessings for Your Personal Life

Offer Indra burning incense, mint- and lemon-scented marigold, or sweet jasmine garlands if you’re looking to improve your life. Thais consider Indra as the god who brings us light. Also known as the God of Thunder and Lightning, he champions the earth, the wind, and the sea, and is the energy that causes water to flow. He’s also a heavenly protector and can transform into any size and shape.

Holding a dagger, trident, and bow, the four-armed jade statue ornamented with gold embodies the God of Victory in battle, too. He’s in front of the Amarin Plaza Mall near Erawan Plaza at the Ratchaprasong intersection, close to the BTS Station Chit Lom.

8. Narayana Shrine – To Stay Protected

The God of Protection named Narayana guards the world, heaven, and surprisingly, even hell. Yet with his power, he ensures the good triumphs over the evil. With the Garuda eagle as his partner, Thailand’s national emblem, the god Narayana is believed to be capable of taking several forms, including that of the Lord Buddha.

Smiling slightly, Narayana watches you vigilantly from atop the shoulders of the Hindu god Garuda, a mythological Hindu, and Buddhist figure rooted in Thai culture. The four-armed Narayana statue carrying a disc, conch, mace, and water lily stands in front of the Intercontinental Hotel near Gaysorn Village, directly across from Amarin Plaza.

Follow the Thai people’s idea of the lucky nine and progress in your life. TAGTHAi offers you not just a bunch of marigolds but also many other benefits, from tuk-tuk tours and Chao Phraya River boat hops to the SkyWalk on the Mahanakhon Tower.

You can redeem your benefit with the Bangkok Day Pass and get a flower set at Erawan Bangkok and the Gaysorn Village.