The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, also known as Wat Khaek, is a Hindu temple in the Central Business District of Bangkok.
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in BangkokThe Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is open every day from 05:00 to 18:00 and admission in free. Non-Hindus are allowed in the temple, but photography inside the temple is strictly prohibited and shoes need to be taken off before entering.
About the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple was founded in 1879 by a community of Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu state. The leader of the community, Vaithi Padayatchi, had a nearby street named after him: Soi Waiti. The area around the temple is still home to a large community of people whose ancestors immigrated from India as evidenced by the large number of Indian restaurants and grocery shops nearby.
Main entrance to the Sri Maha Mariamman TempleMost Important Hindu temple in Thailand
The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is generally considered to be the most important Hindu temple in Thailand and certainly the most ornate. The outer wall of the temple is decorated with two gates, one on the Silom Road and another on the Pan Road.
Gopura tower at the Sri Maha Mariamman TempleGopura Tower
The most impressive feature of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the secondary gate on the Pan Road which is topped by a 6 metre tall gopura tower. Gopura towers are a common feature of temples in Southern India, and the tower at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Bangkok is colourfully decorated with images of Hindu deities.
Inside the Sri Maha Mariamman TempleHindu Goddess of Mercy
The main shrine in the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess of Mercy, Mariamman or Mother Mari, which is also the name of the temple. There are many deities in the Hindu religion, possibly as many as thousands, and Mariamman is one which is traditionally worshipped in Tamil Nadu.
Other Shrines at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
Next the shrine to Mariamman there are also shrines to Ganesh and his brother Lord Murugan, along with a large central Shiva lingham. Around the main 3 shrines are smaller shrines to other Hindi deities such as Shiva, Krishna and Vishnu. According to Hindu belief different deities can help with different types of problems. As well as Hindu worshippers a relatively large proportion of the visitors to the temple are Thai Buddhists who also come to ask the various Gods at the temple for assistance in their lives.
Location of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
- Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, 2 Pan Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500.
