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Shrine visitors asked to abide by health measures
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Shrine visitors asked to abide by health measures

Culture minister issues plea after seeing large crowd at CentralWorld event

People sit in front a shrine of a god which they believe is Trimurti to seek blessings for their love during a ceremony on Thursday outside CentralWorld in Bangkok. But experts say it is not Trimurti, the Hindu god of love, but Sadasida, the god that protects people from diseases. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
People sit in front a shrine of a god which they believe is Trimurti to seek blessings for their love during a ceremony on Thursday outside CentralWorld in Bangkok. But experts say it is not Trimurti, the Hindu god of love, but Sadasida, the god that protects people from diseases. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

People who gather at shrines to seek blessings on Valentine’s Day are being urged by authorities to abide by health measures.

Culture Minister Itthipol Kunplome issued the plea after observing a crowd thronging the area in front of CentralWorld shopping complex to attend a ritual at a Hindu shrine on Thursday night. Many were there to seek blessings for their love on Valentine’s Day.

Organisers of activities with many participants should coordinate with authorities in their areas so that public health officials could be on site to give advice, especially during Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, he said.

The ministry has also sought cooperation from shrines to pay heed to coronavirus prevention and health measures and they have given their full cooperation, he said.

Many people attending the event at CentralWorld believed they were praying to Trimurti, the Hindu god of love. But Guythip Saraswationthon, a popular tarot card reader and fortune-teller, said the effigy in question at the shrine is of Sadasiva, who protects people from diseases.

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