Thailand
Ganesh, the god of good fortune and the remover of obstacles, is a major deity in Hinduism. He is recognizable by his four arms and elephant head with a broken tusk. His image is often surrounded by statues of rats, his messengers, and his helpers. In 2002, one of his devotees, Pundhorn Teerakanon, erected an entire museum in his honor in Chiang Mai, in the Doi Lo district. This is the Ganesha Himal Museum. Before the overview, there is a prelude on the elephant god.
Beliefs and legends: the origin of Ganesh's elephant head
Conceived by the goddess Parvati from body dust, Ganesh was the child who was to fill the absence of his father, the god Shiva. Endowed with great strength, he was tasked with guarding the entrance to his mother's bath whenever she showered. Ganesh was instructed not to let anyone pass. Unable to see his wife, Shiva enters a black rage and unknowingly cuts off his son's head. Ganesh dies instantly. Affected by Parvati's grief, Shiva promises to resurrect his child. There's a small problem: the child's skull is missing. The deity then decides to replace Ganesh's head with that of the first living child he encounters. Destiny places a baby elephant with a broken tusk in his path.
Presentation of the Ganesha Himal Museum
Truly picturesque, this museum is built in various architectural and design styles. The facades and interiors of the buildings draw inspiration from Lanna, Balinese, Mongolian, and Islamic influences. The wall tiles and mosaic floors are, respectively, Cambodian and Roman. As soon as you enter through the gate, you're greeted by the scent of incense. Your ears are filled with the sound of bells or religious chants.
The exterior of the museum
The parking lot is an outdoor lottery hall. Dare to play if you wish. Luck may smile upon you if Ganesh agrees. Look around you; the museum courtyard is adorned with statues of the nymph dancer Apsara. You will also find water fountains and pools.
Unique statues of deities
A particular temple should catch your attention. Every brick in its construction is consecrated before becoming part of the building. It's a highly frequented place of worship, the museum's main sanctuary. The construction houses a unique collection of Hindu deity images. Entirely built in teak wood, the effigies of Ganesh and his parents are unmatched in the world. You will often see worshippers kneeling or praying there. Consider in silence and with respect.
Near this monastery, under vines and bushes, you will find a seated statue of the god Shiva. A highly revered sacred object.
Two picturesque exhibition halls
Crossing the green garden will lead you to two unique buildings.
The first peach-colored building showcases Islamic architecture and art. It displays statues and portraits of Ganesh from across Asia in the public eye. Under each object, you'll find brief information in both English and Thai. Opposite them are souvenir shops and a museum café. Enjoy your coffee or tea while contemplating a hyper-realistic wax statue of a meditating monk.
In the other building, you can admire colored effigies of the goddess Lakshmi in water basins. The highlight is wax statues of Ganesh and his family, depicting the visual scene of the elephant god's marriage to Ridhhi.
How to get there?
Located in the heart of an orchard, north of Thailand, the museum is 35 km from Chiang Mai and 38 km from its international airport. Here's the address: 277 Moo 10 Yang Kram, Doi Loi. To reach it from the city, take Urban Road 108 to Rural Road 3018. Average travel time: 45 minutes.
Admission fee and opening hours
The Ganesha Himal Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local time. Admission is free.
Note
Photography is prohibited throughout the museum, except in the exhibition hall. For 20 baht, you can wear traditional Thai costumes, as seen in Bollywood films. Authorized photographers from the establishment will capture these moments with their cameras.
