Churning of the Milk Ocean.....

This is a wonderful sculpture everybody will see at the Departure Hall in Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The scene depicted is a famous episode in the "Indian Puranas". This is symbolically celebrated in India as the famous 'Kumbha mela'.

'Indra, the chief of the Devas' upon inadvertently angering a priest was cursed by him thereby made poor. He then approached 'Brahma' who suggested him to obtain the 'nectar of immortality' (Amritha) by churning the milk ocean ('Ksheer Sagara'= Ksheer meaning milk and Sagara meaning Ocean). This mammoth task could not be undertaken by the Devas alone so they took the help of the 'Asuras' also. The mountain 'Mandhara' was used as the pole and 'Vasuki, the chief of Serpents' was used as the rope. The mountain was supported by Lord Vishnu who took the incarnation of 'Kurma' meaning turtle.

Finally they began churning the Ocean and a deadly poison known as "Halahala" popped up. Lord Shiva drank the poison and Goddess Parvathi, his wife squeezed his neck to prevent it from going down. The poison settled at his neck coloring it blue. This gave Lord Shiva the name 'Neela Kanta' meaning one with a blue colored neck.

Theafter so many precious objects emerged during churning. Finally Lord Dhanwanthary appeared with the pot containing the nectar of immortality - the Amritha. There began a dispute between the participating parties and finally Asuras managed to get Amritha from the Devas but Lord Vishnu disguised as a beautiful lady retrieved it from them and passed it to the Devas who attained immortality by drinking it driving the Asuras, the Demons into the dark world.

We can see the Devas and Asuras holding the Serpent's tail and head end respectively on either side. The turtle is also seen. On top of the mountain we see Lord Vishnu.

This is a beautiful and magnificent sculpture which is meant to signify the glory and prosperity of the new modern Airport.

There are many versions to this mythological tale in the epics.
Those who are interested may please search the www and find details.