Big. Elephant.

So today I went to the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan. It is a HUGE elephant sculpture. It weighs around 250 tons and is completely covered in bronze. It is without a doubt the most beautiful man made thing I have ever seen in my life. The detail that went into every nook and cranny is insane! 

The museum's three separate floors symbolise the universe and are designed in accordance with the three-tiered cosmology of the Hindu-Thai Buddhist concept of Tribhumi.

The basement level represents the underworld. Alongside rare artifacts from furniture to ceramics and pottery, large display boards detail the history and construction of the Erawan Museum.

Moving up to the next level, depicting the human world, the exquisite interior decoration inside the dome-shaped architecture reflects a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western art. Highlights include the splendid stained glass ceiling on which a world map and zodiac are illustrated.

All these decorative stuccos are enhanced with countless pieces of crusted Bencharong ceramics.The finely embellished venue is supported by four embossed tin pillars on which are depicted religious tales. These standing columns portray the four Buddhist principles of virtue that help bring authentic peace to the heart of mankind and sustain the world.

A narrow spiral staircase passing through the right hind leg of the elephant leads to Tavatimsa Heaven, deep inside the elephant's belly.

This eye-catching room on the top of the museum marks the second heaven where Indra resides, and houses two superb Buddha images, glistening with gold. Portions of relics of the Lord Buddha are placed inside the walking Buddha statue below a replica of the Phra Phuttha Sihing.

!!!! READ HERE !!!!

Ok if that last bit didn't really sound like me its because I copied it from Wikipedia, I know BAD BLOGGER, BAD! But it described it really well and honestly that structure left me speechless. Anyway I have tons of photos and a video on my facebook so please check it out! More on my adventures later!
-Nicole