Sri Maha Mariamman TempleThe Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, which Thais call Wat Khaek, is the most important Tamil Hindu temple in Thailand and one of the most colourful buildings in central Bangkok. It stands at the corner of Silom Road and Pan Road in Silom, where stalls sell marigold garlands, coconuts and incense for offerings. A six-metre gopuram tower, stacked with painted gods and goddesses, rises over the entrance, and the main shrine is capped with a gilded copper dome.
The temple is dedicated to Mariamman, a South Indian form of the mother goddess, who is often identified in Thailand with Uma, the consort of Shiva; one of its Thai names is Wat Phra Si Maha Umathewi. Hindus are only part of the congregation. Thai Buddhists and Thai-Chinese come in large numbers to pray for luck in business and family life, so the temple is busy from morning to evening.
Exploring Sri Maha Mariamman Temple#
Inside, worshippers follow a set order: first Ganesh, then Kartikeya (Murugan), then the main shrine of Mariamman. Bronze images of many other deities, including Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Lakshmi, Kali, Saraswati and Hanuman, line the main hall. Take off your shoes before entering, dress modestly, don’t take photographs inside, and leave space for people making offerings at the central shrine.
The biggest event of the year is Navaratri, ten days in September or October set by the Tamil calendar. On the final night the goddess is carried through the streets in a procession lit with candles and hung with yellow garlands, and part of Silom Road closes to traffic. Deepavali is also celebrated with lamps and lights.
Nearby Attractions to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple#
Weather & Climate near Sri Maha Mariamman Temple#
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1389 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 22° - 32° | 29° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.3h |
| February | Excellent | 23° - 33° | 31° | 17 mm | mostly sunny | 66% | 1.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.6h |
| March | Excellent | 25° - 34° | 34° | 32 mm | some cloud | 69% | 1.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 26° - 35° | 36° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 1.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 26° - 35° | 37° | 182 mm | overcast | 76% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 26° - 34° | 36° | 137 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.8h |
| July | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 35° | 153 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.7h |
| August | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 35° | 192 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.4h |
| September | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 34° | 303 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 34° | 244 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 32° | 31° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
| December | Excellent | 21° - 32° | 26° | 7 mm | some cloud | 71% | 1.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.2h |
How to Get to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple#
BTS Surasak and Chong Nonsi stations on the Silom Line are each about 10 minutes’ walk away; the temple is on the south side of Silom Road at the Pan Road corner.
History & Culture of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple#
The temple was built in 1879 by Vaithi Padayatchi, a leader of the Tamil migrants from South India who settled in Bangkok in the 19th century, many of them traders in gems or cattle. A lane off Silom, Soi Vaithi, still carries his name. The temple remains the centre of Bangkok’s Tamil Hindu community.