8 Shrines in Bangkok's Downtown

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There's a cool promotion by the Tourist Authority of Thailand called "Eat, Pray, Shop" that encourages people to visit eight Hindu shrines, some big and famous, and others small and hidden, scattered around Bangkok's downtown shopping area. Last weekend, we went on a walk around Chitlom and Siam, between the malls and high-rise office buildings, looking for all eight!

1. Indra Shrine

The first shrine we visited was the Indra Shrine, just outside Amarin Plaza. It's a big one, and I've seen it before, but always walked past it up on the sky bridge without really paying much attention to it. Up close, it's really cool!

Indra is the Hindu god of thunder.

2. Erawan Shrine

Next up was the Erawan Shrine, where I went on my very first weekend in Bangkok. The spirit house at the Grand Hyatt Erawan is dedicated to the Hindu god of creation, Brahma. It's a lively, vibrant, colorful place.

3. Narayana Shrine

Third was the Narayana Shrine, dedicated to Vishnu. The Narayana Shrine is part of a fountain in front of the Hotel Intercontinental. It's just across the road from the other two.

4. Lakshmi Shrine

The first three shrines were easy to find, but the next two were a bit more difficult! The Lakshmi Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of wealth and fortune. It's way up on the 4th floor rooftop gardens at Gaysorn Plaza, a shopping mall just next to the Hotel Intercontinental. We had a little trouble finding it! We had to ask for directions from the information desk at the mall, then take the elevator up to the  rooftop.

5. Jatulokbal Shrine

Also on that rooftop, but on another corner, is the Jatulokbal Shrine, dedicated to four different gods: one representing each of the cardinal directions. As far as I know, this shrine is quite unique!

6. Umathevi Shrine

Back down on the street, we turned a corner and walked towards Big C Supercenter, where the Umathevi Shrine is located. Umathevi is the goddess of compassion.

7. Trimurti Shrine

Across the street from the Umathevi Shrine, we found the final two. The Trimurti Shrine is dedicated to the three great gods of Hinduism: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. In Bangkok, Trimurti is known as the "god of love". People visit and offer flowers to wish for love and long-lasting relationships.

8. Ganesh Shrine

And finally, just next to the Trimurti Shrine, was the Ganesh Shrine. Ganesh is the elephant-headed god of success. It was fun to spend an afternoon exploring Bangkok, especially a part that I always pass through without really paying attention.

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"Puppy Love" (Chinese Year of the Dog + Valentine's Day)

This year, February 13th was Chinese New Year (AKA Spring Festival), the first day of the new Year of the Dog. The 14th, of course, was Valentines Day! 

Usually Bangkok is decorated for Valentine's, but since it fell during the Chinese New Year, red and gold was much more prevalent than pink. A few places though, like this department store that built a Japanese-style "power spot", were decorated for Valentine's Day.

Mostly, Bangkok is all dressed up for Chinese New Year, the 15-day  celebration of the end of winter and beginning of the new lunar year.

Bangkok and the south of Thailand both have large Chinese-Thai populations. In Bangkok, the festival is a bit more commercial and less traditional than in the south or in China, but it's a lot of fun.

People tend to dress up in red and gold Chinese-style shirts to honor their ancestry and Chinese heritage (many, if not most Bangkokians have some Chinese ancestry). There's all sorts of snacks available, and Chinatown comes alive with firecrackers and dragon dances.

Even in downtown, it's a party! Outside of Amarin Plaza, we stumbled  across a small Chinese street market with lots of yummy snacks for sale.

If we took a picture in front of the mall and shared it on social media, we could go inside and redeem a free Chinese paper fortune!

We took some photos with the dragon dance costumes.

And then we got our fortunes!

The one on the left says:  Wish you a most happy and prosperous year.

And the one on the right says: Bringing in wealth and treasure - a felicitous wish of making money.

The street market was lively, and there were lots of Chinese dishes and snacks for sale.

It's the Year of the Dog on the Chinese 12-year zodiac. It's supposed to be an unlucky year for Goats (like me!) but I don't think so. I have a feeling it's going to be a great year with lots of good things coming my way. But maybe I should be sure to wear red to ward off bad luck this year!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Year of the Dog!

I wish you all luck, peace, and happiness this year!

It's been a while since I've posted, but I've got lots of big things coming. Stay tuned, and thanks to all who  have been following my blog throughout the years. I've got lots to share soon! Yes, I really do believe it's going to be a lucky year for me!

Blood Blue Moon Eclipse

Last night was a special astronomical phenomenon! January's blue moon was also a blood moon total lunar eclipse! We had great views from Bangkok.

Here are a few pictures that Pinky shot on her digital camera with a simple telephoto lens.