Ganesha
Deity with an elephant head
Ganesha is a Hindu God revered as the remover of obstacles.
Ganesha in Thailand
In Thailand Ganesha is known as Phra Pikanet. He is worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists and Chinese.
Three giant Ganesha statues
In Chachoengsao province close to Bangkok are three giant statues of Ganesha. As they are all in the same area, they can easily be visited as a day trip from Bangkok.
Wat Saman Rattanaram
Wat Saman Rattanaram is a very colorful temple on the Bang Pakong river in Chachoengsao town.
The temple houses a 22 meter long and 16 meter high pink colored image of a Reclining Ganesha. Also on the grounds are large statues of Indra, Brahma and the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Guanyin.
It will take about 1½ hours by car to get to the temple some 90 kilometers East of Bangkok.
Wat Phrong Akat
Wat Phrong Akat is a temple in a rural area of Chachoengsao province. At the Lord Ganesha temple is a 49 meter tall statue of a pink colored seated Ganesha. Inside are several smaller statues of Ganesha, some with two or four heads, often with a red body, but also in colors as green, gold or white.
On the other side of the lake is a Buddhist temple with a massive golden chedi at its center. Large Thotsakan statues armed with a sword guard the temple entrance.
Wat Phrong Akat is located 80 kilometers East of Bangkok. It will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes or more to get there, depending on traffic.
Khlong Khuean Ganesh International Park
In a rural area on the banks of the Bang Pakong river is the Khlong Khuean Ganesh International Park.
Dominating the area is a 30 meter tall standing bronze image of Ganesha with four arms carrying a weapon in one of his hands and a rat at his feet. Inside are smaller statues of Ganesha as well as of the Buddha. On the riverbank stands a small Chinese shrine with an image of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.
It takes about 1½ hours by car to get to the park at 95 kilometers East of Bangkok.
Photo by Thaweesak Churasri (CC BY 3.0)
Ganesha shrine in Bangkok
Next to the Trimurti shrine on the large open square at Central World shopping center stands the Ganesha shrine. Seated on a pedestal in the white shrine is a golden statue of Ganesha carrying a trident in one hand and a broken tusk in another.
Kiosks sell items as incense sticks, flower garlands and other offerings for worshippers.
Sri Maha Mariamman temple
The Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Bangkok is a Hindu temple with three shrines. While the main deity is Mariamman, one of the other shrines is dedicated to Ganesha.
Hindu deity
Ganesha is a Hindu deity worshipped in India and throughout much of Asia. He is the son of the God Shiva and his consort Parvati. Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles and as the God of arts, sciences, intellect and wisdom.
Elephant head
Ganesha has an elephant head with two tusks, one of which is broken. Usually the deity is depicted with four arms, although sometimes he is shown with as many as twenty arms. He is often shown holding an elephant goad, a noose and an axe. Statues of Ganesha often have one or more rats at the feet of the deity, as the rat is Ganesha’s vehicle.
Festivals
Two annual festivals are held to worship Ganesha. Ganesh Chaturthi in August or September, the ten day festival Ganesh Jayanti in January or February. The exact dates depend on the lunar calendar.
For 2023 the Ganesh Jayanti festival starts on January 25, the Ganesh Chaturthi is held on September 18.
