The underworld
The first floor of the Erawan museum represents the underworld in Hindu mythology, the area under the world where snake like creatures called Nagas live.
This floor houses a collection of fine antiques from different periods and several countries, including Chinese Ming dynasty vases, Vietnamese vases, the famous Thai Benjarong ceramics, Sukhothai era pottery and furniture dating back to the start of the Rattanakosin era, the end of the 18th century. Guides are available to tour you around and explain about the items on display.
The earth
The second floor representing the earth or human world houses more precious antiques and arts including ceramics and European pottery. The hall features a statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess with a thousand arms.
On either side of the hall is a beautifully porcelain decorated stairway. The upper part of the floor represents Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu mythology. The magnificent stained glass ceiling with bright yellow, blue and orange colors is very impressive and shows the world, the stars and zodiac symbols.
The Heaven
The top floor of the Erawan museum represents the Tavatimsa Heaven, which is located on top of Mount Meru in Buddhist cosmology. A winding staircase in one of the elephants legs will take you upstairs to this floor.
The top floor houses relics of the Buddha and some very old Buddha statues from several eras including Lopburi, Ayutthaya, Lanna and Rattanakosin. The oldest ones date from the Dvaravati era, which started in the 6th century and lasted until the 13th century. The walls are decorated with paintings depicting the cosmos.
Outside you will find a well maintained tropical garden surrounding the elephant. Besides many species of plants and palm trees you will find several statues as well as a pond with huge carps that you can feed.