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Altar in Erawan Shrine - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails

🙏 Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray

Introduction: Why Erawan Shrine Bangkok Matters?

Erawan Shrine at Night - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails

What Is the Erawan Shrine (Four-Faced Buddha)?

Phra Phrom Erawan Shrine - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails

The Erawan Shrine is also known as the Four-Faced Buddha, or Phra Phrom—the Thai representation of the Hindu god Brahma. Even though it’s a Hindu deity, people from all backgrounds come here to pray. Most visitors ask for things like love, career success, good health, and clarity in life.

📍 Locations: (Erawan Shrine) 494 Ratchadamri Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
⏰ Opening Hours: Open Everyday 06:00 – 23:00

Meaning of the Four Faces Buddha

Four Faced God Brahma - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails

Each face of Buddha stands for a different blessing.

🌸 1. Front Face — Career & Success
This face is about:

  • Work
  • Business
  • Studies
  • Achievements and recognition

People pray here when they want progress, promotion, or success in what they’re doing.

❤️ 2. Left Face — Love & Relationships
This face represents:

  • Romantic love
  • Marriage
  • Family harmony
  • Friendships

If you’re praying for love, reconciliation, or smoother relationships, this is the one.

💊 3. Back Face — Health & Well-being
This face is linked to:

  • Physical health
  • Mental peace
  • Safety
  • Protection from illness or bad luck

People often pray here for recovery, calm, and balance.

💰 4. Right Face — Wealth & Prosperity
This face focuses on:

  • Money
  • Financial stability
  • Business profits
  • Abundance

If you’re hoping for better finances or steady income, this is where intentions go.

Mantra and Prayer at Erawan Shrine Bangkok

Many people chant a traditional mantra while praying at Erawan Shrine to stay focused and set their intention. If you’re new, don’t worry about getting it perfect—what matters most is sincerity and gratitude. You don’t need to chant loudly either; praying calmly and with focus is more than enough.

The Mantra:

The Meaning of the Mantra:

This mantra is a power tool of devotion. By chanting it, the devotee:

  • Connects with the divine sound (Om).
  • Shows reverence to Brahma (Phra Phrom) and the Buddha.
  • Affirms the path of Dharma leading to liberation and joy.
  • Requests that the deity hears their prayer, removes obstacles, and grants blessings, success, and protection in all circumstances.

How to Pray: Step-by-Step Ritual Flow

1. Place your offerings.
Offerings usually include yellow flowers. I bought a set with 4 flowers, 4 incense sticks, and 4 candles for around 300–400 THB from a stall outside the shrine.

2. Do not light the incense or candles.
At Erawan Shrine, you simply place them at the shrine—no lighting needed.

3. Make your prayer and wishes.
Pray sincerely and clearly, focusing on what you’re asking for.

4. Pray at each Buddha, one by one.
Walk around them in a clockwise direction , starting from front face, completing all four faces in order.

5. End with gratitude.
Don’t just ask—take a moment to say thank you as well.

💡Tips: If you’re unsure what to say or do, just stay calm and follow the flow of people around you. There’s no rush here—sincerity matters more than doing everything perfectly.

Offerings: What to Bring and What They Mean?

Offerings at Erawan Shrine - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails

The most common offerings at Erawan Shrine are Marigold garlands, candles, and incense, all of which you can buy from stalls nearby. Marigold garlands represent respect and sincerity, candles symbolize light and clarity in life, and incense is used to focus intention and prayer. These offerings don’t need to be expensive—they’re simply a way to show respect and pray with intention.

Many people offer elephant statues at Erawan Shrine as a symbol of gratitude and strength. Some also hire traditional Thai dancers, accompanied by live music, as a way to give thanks after their wish has been fulfilled. It’s one of the most unique rituals here and a powerful way people show appreciation, not just ask for blessings.

The Atmosphere: Calm in the Middle of Chaos At Bangkok

Erawan Shrine is surrounded by traffic noise, BTS trains, and nonstop crowds. But the moment you step inside and start praying, everything feels slower and more grounded. That contrast—between busy city life and quiet spiritual calm—is what makes this place so powerful.

Best Time to Visit Erawan Shrine Bangkok (and When to Avoid)

People visiting Erawan Shrine - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails

On very busy days, Erawan Shrine can get extremely crowded. Flowers are often cleared quickly due to the volume, and offerings may be removed soon after you place them. From my experience, visiting on weekday nights feels much calmer and more meaningful, especially if you want time to pray without rushing.

Pro Tip: If you see large tour groups arriving, wait a few minutes before entering. The flow clears faster than you’d expect, and the experience feels much more peaceful.

Personal Reflection: Why I Always Come Back to Erawan Shrine Bangkok

Over time, visiting this shrine has become a small personal ritual whenever I’m in Bangkok. It’s not just about religion, but about setting intention and feeling grounded, even for a moment. Standing there reminds me to pause, pray, reflect, and express gratitude before stepping back into the noise of the city.

Follow Leotrails for more exciting adventures and insider tips from Thailand

That’s it for this blog post! If you found this helpful, give it a thumbs up! See you in the next post! Love you all! Thank you!
Travel Deeper, Eat Bolder, Live the Moments, and Follow the Trails.✈️🍜🔥🌏
Bye Bye!

🏨 Where to Stay in Bangkok?

Ibis Styles Hotel Bangkok Silom - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails
Ibis Styles Hotel Room - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails
Ibis Styles Hotel BathRoom - Erawan Shrine Bangkok: A Guide on How to Pray - Leotrails

Source: Accor.com

Where I Stayed: Ibis Style Bangkok Silom Hotel

Staying in Ibis Style Bangkok Silom Hotel puts you steps away from some of Bangkok’s best nightlife — lively bars, neon-lit streets, and endless places to unwind after dark. By day, you’re surrounded by flavorful street food stalls and just a short walk from Lumpini Park, the perfect spot to escape the city buzz. It’s an ideal area for travelers who want convenience, great food, and easy access to Bangkok’s energetic night scene.

👉 Planning to explore Bangkok downtown and nearby areas? Book your stay in Silom for the perfect base.

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📱 Thailand SIM Card – 50GB for $6
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🗣 Learn Basic Thai
Simple phrases every traveler should know.
https://leotrails.me/basic-thai
🍜 Bangkok Must-Eat Spots
https://leotrails.me/bkk-must-eat
🧪 Schedule HIV Test in Bangkok
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leotrails

🌍 Hi, I’m Leo, the creator behind LeoTrails. I’m a travel vlogger who explores the world through food, culture, and adventure. From the sensory overload of night markets and mouthwatering street eats to ancient temples and breathtaking landscapes, I share stories that bring each journey to life. ✈️ Having lived across Southeast Asia all my life, my channel is all about inspiring fellow travelers to discover new places, taste authentic flavors, and experience local culture in a real, fun, and honest way. 🏳️‍🌈 This blog is proudly LGBTQ+ friendly. ✨ Join me on my journey — one trail, one story, and one bite at a time.
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