The Trimurti Shrine - In the Quest for True Love at the Lovers' Shrine

->Legends build upon themselves and as the fame of
The Trimurti Shrine is located at the busythe shrine grew, so did the flock of faithful. Such is
Ratchaprasong junction in downtown Bangkok at thethe renown of the shrine that it's sometimes
corner of the Central World Plaza, (former Worldreferred to as the Lovers' Shrine.
Trade Centre) across the road from the famousThere's an air of peace and serenity around the
Erawan Shrine.Trimurti Shrine and the place just has a natural draw
Though less hectic than the Erawan Shrine, theto people. There's a small but steady flow of
Trimurti Shrine has an aura of its own. Legend has itworshippers, young couples, pairs of women, single
that those who pray here for true love will have theirmen and women, some after work. It's not just
dreams fulfilled. Worshippers are mostly local wholimited to the young though; elderly people have been
normally come in the evenings to make theirseen there too.
offerings of garlands and joss sticks.As with the Erawan Shrine,the origin of the god in
Trimurti refers to the Trinity of Hindu Gods consistingthe Trimurti Shrine matters not to the worshippers
of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the sustainer and Sivawho are steadfast in their faith that the shrine will
the destroyer, the three most important gods inmeet their quest for happiness.
Hinduism.On Valentine's Day each year, the Lovers' Shrine is
The deity is a gold statue of a human body with twodecked with red roses. Flickering red candles cast
heads and four arms. The heads are one on top ofshadows in the night as worshippers flock to the
the other; the lower head has four faces.shrine.
Built in 1989, the Trimurti Shrine is on a raisedYoung women with eyes closed, kneel before the
platform, sheltered by a dome on four pillars withTrinity of Gods, clasp joss sticks and pray with an
elaborately carved gables at the four sides. There'sintensity that's etched in their faces. Will their prayers
an open area around the shrine with a ring of seatsbe answered?
for worshippers to sit and reflect.The next time you're in Bangkok, drop in at the
Crafted in classical Indian sculpture with a Thai touch,Lovers' Shrine and say a prayer for true love. Are
the statue is a replica of the original from oldyou feeling lucky?
Ayutthaya. Like other shrines in Bangkok, the TrimurtiThe Trimurti Shrine has moved
Shrine was built to answer the prayers of peopleThe Trimurti Shrine has been moved from the corner
seeking success, prosperity and happiness.of Central World Plaza at the Ratchaprasong junction
The shrine somehow acquired the reputation of(near the Erawan Shrine) to the far end that's nearer
granting happiness in romance, as it's very popularthe Pratunam junction. The shrine now stands next
with young Thais who associate the shrine with theto the Ganesha Shrine.
god of love.