Mekhala (เมขลา)

Thai. The goddess of lightning and, especially in Khmer mythology, also the goddess of the waters and sea. Her name is related to the Thai word for cloud(s), i.e. mek (เมฆ). She is the opponent of Ramasoon, the thunder god (fig.). She is a beautiful nymph who was born from the frothing white foam of the sea. She can fly at her will and she often amuses herself playing about in the air and in the clouds carrying a crystal ball, her weapon of protection. If she turns this crystal ball, she can by her willpower cause it to shoot out fearful flashes of blinding light. The beauty and crystal ball of Mekhala (fig.) attracted Ramasoon, so he persuaded his friend Rahu, the god of darkness (fig.), to create a murkiness of black and ominous clouds to help conceal himself, in order to capture the lovely nymph and carry her away to his den. Ramasoon who always carries an axe, threw his deadly weapon to entrap Mekhala, thus causing a deafening sound and a thunderous crash of clouds. Mekhala however, who could see through his cover with her celestial eyes, brought out her crystal ball and made it send out blinding flashes. The blinding light made Ramasoon miss his mark, making him try over and over again, nevertheless missing his mark time and again. Occasionally Ramasoon tries again to capture Mekhala by throwing his axe, whilst she keeps on protecting herself by sending flashes of blinding rays into Ramasoon’s eyes (fig.). This celestial spectacle is the violent thunder and lightning that is witnessed on earth, followed by heavy rainfall, being Ramasoon’s withdrawal under his cloak of rain. This deity also appears in the Mahajanaka Jataka, where she carries Prince Mahajanaka to the city of Mithila. The Thewada bar in Bangkok, whose Thai style interior is decorated with colourful paintings of angels and themes inspired by the legendary forest of Himaphan, and which serves so-called creation cocktails, has one concoction named Mekhala, a drink that is topped with a smoke bubble that symbolizes Mekhala's crystal ball (fig.). Also referred to as Nang Mani Mekhala. Sometimes transcribed Mekala. See POSTAGE STAMP, TRAVEL PICTURES (1), (2) and (3), as well as THEMATIC STREET LIGHTS (1), (2) and (3). 回