A giant sculpture of the famend Thai deity Kru Kai Kaew or the Great Master Teacher, triggered appreciable traffic when it failed clear a bridge it was passing underneath in Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok. A humanoid with bird-like options, wings on its again and golden talons, the unusual sight sparked curiosity concerning the id of the deity among bystanders.
Too tall to make it by way of the underpass, the caught statue gained the attention of onlookers, and now the statue’s backstory has been revealed. The statue’s history is traced back to a monk in Lamphang province. The monk had gifted the statue of Kru Kai Kaew, often known as Great Master Teacher, to his scholar, Thawil Milinthajinda, an old-school Thai singer and former army musician. Thawil, in turn, handed it on to his scholar, Suchat Rattanasuk.
Suchat Rattanasuk is recognised for establishing the primary statues of Kru Kai Kaew in Thailand. Traditionally, collectible figurines of the deity have been small, measuring approximately two inches. The statue initially depicted an individual sitting in a squatting position. However, Suchat, using a bit of inventive license, drew a picture of Kru Kai Kaew and cast the primary statue standing tall, resembling an older individual, reported KhaoSod.
The teacher’s form is that of a half-human, half-bird, with wings on its back and golden talons, symbolising a supreme bard. This is predicated on evidence found on Bayon temple partitions from the reign of Jayavarman VII – the primary Buddhist king of Cambodia from 1181 to 1220 AD.
To worship the deity, followers provide five incense sticks, bow to the teacher, and then make a donation in Kru Kai Kaew’s glass cupboard. After knocking, Price break ask for blessings and categorical their desires. The specific chant that follows is: “Namo Tassa Bhagavāto Arahato Sammā Sambuddhassa ” (recited three times), then “Maha Kru Kai Kaew Metta Maha Raja Sappaseneha Mama Chittang Piyang Mama.”