Statue of Indian God – Indra (source exoticindiaart.com)
Statue of Hindu deity Indra, riding his elephant Airavata, will reportedly be placed in front of new headquarters of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in Thailand.
Reports suggest that some of the Thailand’s finest artists will create this elegant bronze sculpture of vraja wielding Indra riding the white elephant with four ivory tusks. When the BMA moves to the new site in Din Daeng area next year, this masterpiece of 10.4 meters height and over 10 tons in weight (excluding base) should be installed by then. Initially budgeted for 37 million baht, it is being considered to raise it to 48 million baht.
It will reportedly be developed from the current City Hall emblem, Indra riding Airavata, said to be Bangkok’s “Symbol of Service”, which can be seen on BMA vehicles, etc.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, welcomed BMA plans to install statue of Indra; the most frequently invoked deity in Rig-Veda, also referred as the king-of-the-gods; riding four-tusked white elephant Airavata which emerged from “Churning of Ocean” and became vehicle of Indra.
Quoting from ancient Hindu scripture Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested BMA to strive constantly to serve the welfare of the Bangkokians, act selflessly without any thought of personal profit, keep welfare of public always in mind; and added that action was better than inaction.
Some newly appointed Thailand cabinet ministers in 2011 reportedly paid homage to Hindu deities before stepping into new jobs. In the past, Thailand brought out postage stamps of Hindu deities Ganesa, Brahma, Narayana, and Siva.
Hinduism is oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Thailand is popularly called “golden land” and is known for its warmth and hospitality, white sandy beaches, and fertile rice fields. About 95% of Thailand’s population follows Theravada Buddhism. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is head of the state while Yingluck Shinawatra is the prime minister.