Connecting heaven and Earth

The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently launched the Himmapan Project using five cute cartoon characters of mythical creatures based on Buddhist and Hindu beliefs to boost domestic tourism. This inspired me to grab a camera and scour for other imaginary animals from the Himmapan forest, which is a bridge connecting Earth and heaven.

Strolling around Rattanakosin island, tourists can learn how these creatures have camouflaged themselves in murals and sculptures and how they are essential representations of Buddhist cosmology in temple architecture.

“Expanding from India to the Sukhothai kingdom, Siam has embraced the Tribhumi principle, which pertains to the existence of the worlds — hell, Earth and heaven….