Phra Kalachai Si

Phra Kalachai Si
Phra Kalachai Si at the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Devanagariकाल
Sanskrit transliterationkāla
MountOwl (in Thai Brahmanism)
ConsortKali

Phra Kalachai Si or simply Phra Kal (พระกาฬ) is a deity whose worship originated from ancient Indian traditions. He is traditionally venerated as a pair alongside Kali, originally called Phra Kal Phra Kuli or Phra Kal Kuli (พระกาลพระกุลี / พระกาลกุลี). Over time, the name evolved—"Kuli" became distorted and was later shortened to "Kli" (กลี), which sounded frightening to ears during the Rattanakosin period (Bangkok era). Therefore, to make the name more auspicious and appropriate for official use—especially around the reign of King Rama IV—the suffix was changed to Chai Si (ชัยศรี). This modification can be seen in royal decrees such as the water oath declaration. However, among the general public, the deity continued to be referred to simply as Phra Kal.[1]

Despite the linguistic evolution, the worship of Phra Kal has persisted in Thai popular belief and has merged with local animist traditions, represented in figures such as Ta Kala and Yai Kali (ตากะลายายกะลี), regional spiritual deities.[2]

A revered image of Phra Kalachai Si is housed inside the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง).[3]

See Also

Mahakala

Further reading

References

  1. ^ เมืองหนุมาน – Cklanpratoom (in Thai)
  2. ^ เปิดตำนาน “พระกาฬชัยศรี” เทพผู้ปราบความไม่เป็นมงคล (in Thai)
  3. ^ พร​ะกาฬ​ชัยศรี​ – Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
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