Bangkok Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Thailand

Address

Bangkok Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Thailand
2, Si Lom Road, Si Lom Sub district,

Thailand

Amman

Sri Maha Mariamman

Introduction

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple also known as Maha Uma Devi Temple in Thai, is a South Indian architecture style temple on Si Lom Road in Bangkok, Thailand. It was built in 1879 by Vaithi Padayatchi, a Tamil immigrant.

Puranic Significance

Following India becoming a colony of the British Empire in 1858 many from the southern state of Tamil Nadu preferred to leave their country than live under colonial rule. One such group of Indians came to Bangkok, many as traders of gemstones or cattle ranchers. A leader of this group of Indians was Vaithi Padayatchi who built this temple about a decade after they arrived; and a street in Silom is named after him – Soi Vaiti- shown on many street maps as Vithy or Waiti Lane. Sri Mariamman is the oldest and most important such temple in Thailand.

Special Features

The temple’s facade is in strikingly florid style of a riot of different colors with carved images of various gods and goddesses in different shapes and sizes. At the entrance to the temple there is a gopura or tower 6 meters in height and covered with many carved images of deities. The main shrine of the temple complex is a dome with covering of a gilded copper plate. Within the premises of the temple complex there are three shrines dedicated to Ganesh, Kartik and the main shrine of Sri Maha Mariamman. The practice of worship followed by the devotees is sequentially Ganesh, Kartik and then the main deity. The main hall of the shrine is also decorated with statue deity in Hinduism Bronze Material ( From left to right ) of Ganesh , Shiva , Krishna , Vishnu , Lakshmi , Kartik , Mariamman , Kali , Saraswati, and Nataraja with Shivakami , Hanuman. In addition there are also shrines dedicated to the worship of gods Shiva Lingam , Brahma , Navagraha , Aiyanar , SapthaKanni , Periyachi ,
Madurai Veeran and Kathavarayan.

Festivals

Religious festivals, such as Navratri, take place here following the traditional Tamil calendar in September/October. This festival, which is believed to give redress from bad luck, is held for ten days and on the final day the street in front of the temple is colorfully decorated with yellow flower garlands and candles, and the image of Sri Mariamman is taken through the streets in a procession.