Mariamman Temple, Bangkok

Sri Mariamman Temple, Bangkok (Maha Uma Devi Temple)
Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple, Bangkok (Maha Uma Devi Temple) Location in Thailand
Geography
Coordinates	13°45′N 100°28′E / 13.750°N 100.467°E / 13.750; 100.467Coordinates: 13°45′N 100°28′E / 13.750°N 100.467°E / 13.750; 100.467
Country	Thailand
Culture
Primary deity	Maha Mariamma
Architecture
Architectural styles	South Indian Architecture
History and governance
Date built	1879
Creator	Vaithi Padayatchi
Website	[1]

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, also known as Maha Uma Devi Temple in Silom, known as Wat Khaek (วัดแขก, meaning the "Indian temple" in Thai), 'Khaek' being a term, albeit one increasingly perceived as offensive, used for "people of Indian origin", is a South Indian architecture style Hindu temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It was built in 1879 by Vaithi Padayatchi, a Tamil Hindu immigrant.

Maha Mariamman Temple is the main Tamil Hindu temple in Thailand and is located in the Bangrak district of Bangkok at the corner of Silom Road (ถนนสีลม) and Pan Road, a narrower road where a number of kiosks sell saffron-coloured marigold flower garlands for worshippers.

Following India becoming a colony of the British Empire in 1858 many Tamil Nadu Indians 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 - known, in English, as Vithy Lane.

Sri Maha Mariamman is the oldest and most important such temple in Thailand.

The temple's facade is in strikingly florid style of a riot of different colours 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 metres 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. In addition there are also shrines dedicated to the worship of gods Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. The main hall of the shrine is also decorated with images of Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Kali, and Hanuman.