Microcosmic Mountain
We have all gazed at the stars on a clear night and felt the unfathomable vastness of the cosmos. Cosmology gives us the map with a “you are here” mark in the multi-dimensional universe. In Hindu and Thai cosmology the center of the Universe is represented by a mountain that is surrounded by 7 oceans and 7 continents, one of them being earth. It is called Mt. Sumeru and at the top resides Indra, the King of the Gods.
This is a stunning image of two spirit houses with the actual Temple of the Dawn, Wat Arun in the distance. Both have the same architectural elements; a prang with Indra’s weapon on the top, representing Mt. Sumeru.The prang is similar to the sikhara of Indian temples and was merged with Buddhist architecture during the Khmer empire. The Thai prang looks more like a thin ear of corn in comparison to its predecessors.
