Wat Khaek Silom – Paying Respect at Bangkok's Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
Wat Khaek Silom, or Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, is Bangkok's best-known Hindu temple. Here's what to know about Uma Devi, the Navratri festival, the prayers and how to make a wish.
Meeting Point Management Team
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Quick answer
Wat Khaek Silom, or Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, is a Hindu temple at 2 Silom Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok, dedicated to the goddess Uma Devi (Parvati), Shiva's consort. It welcomes Thai and foreign visitors but has strict rules. Each year it hosts the Navratri festival, with a grand procession, in the 11th lunar month.
Key takeaways
- A famous Hindu temple on Silom Road, open to the public and tourists
- Strict rules on offerings and behavior – read up before you go
- Uma Devi (Parvati) is Shiva's consort and the mother of Ganesha
- Navratri is held in the 11th lunar month with a grand procession
- Pray to Ganesha first, then to Uma Devi, stating your full name when making a wish
If you're into spiritual "mu" travel, you definitely know this place. Today Meeting Point is taking you to pay respect at Wat Khaek (Silom), also known as Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Phra Si Maha Uma Thewi), along with some things you should know – so whatever you wish for, it's sure to go well.
Ready? Let's head to Wat Phra Si Maha Uma Thewi, which most people know as "Wat Khaek Silom". It's a Hindu temple in Thailand and a sacred place that devotees of the Hindu gods feel they must visit at least once. Originally, Wat Khaek was important only to Hindus, who came to worship the goddess Maha Uma Devi. Over time, though, many Thai Buddhists also came to have faith in Hinduism and its many deities, so today the temple welcomes Thais and foreign tourists alike to pay respect to its gods. However, the temple has strict rules about what you can bring in and how you behave inside, since breaking them is considered disrespectful to the deities. So before you go, it's worth learning the dos and don'ts so you can pay respect properly.
Besides coming to worship the gods or Uma Devi on ordinary days, there's also an annual festival called "Navratri", an important occasion in Brahmin-Hindu tradition with ancient rites dating back to the Vedic era. It's held from the 1st to the 9th day of the waxing moon in the 11th lunar month every year, with ceremonies running for 10 days and 10 nights around the world. It's believed that during this time the goddess Uma Devi and the other deities descend to earth to bless humankind. Wat Khaek Silom holds the ceremony every year too, with a spectacular procession.
Who is the goddess Uma Devi?
"Uma Devi", or "Parvati", is the consort of Shiva and the mother of Ganesha and Skanda (Kartikeya). She is one of the Tridevi, the three great goddesses (Uma Devi, Lakshmi and Saraswati). Followers of the Shakti tradition believe she is greater even than Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Her symbol is the yoni; she carries a trident and a sword and rides a tiger. The tiger represents power and greatness, while the trident and sword symbolize the destruction of evil, decisive judgment and supreme authority.
Uma Devi is also known by other names, most famously Durga and Kali. Kali is the symbol of vanquishing evil. Hindus revere the goddess as the mother of all living beings. Worshipping Uma Devi is believed to bring blessings, abundance and greatness to devotees, ward off evil and bring peace to their lives.
Prayers to the goddess Uma Devi
Usually, devotees first pray to Ganesha before praying to Uma Devi. There are two prayers to Uma Devi; you can choose either one or recite both.
Prayer to Ganesha
Om Shri Ganeshaya Namaha
Prayer to Uma Devi
Om Jai Mata Di
Om Jaya Mata Di
Om Chai Mata Di
Om Jaya Shri Parvati Mata
Om Jai Mata Parvati
Om Maha Uma Devi Namas
Om Maha Shakti Parvati Mata
Om Shri Maha Uma Devi Namaha
Om Tassa Parvati Kali Durga Jai Namaha
Om Tassa Parvati Kali Durga Piyang Mama
Dutiyampi Tassa Parvati Kali Durga Piyang Mama
Tatiyampi Tassa Parvati Kali Durga Piyang Mama
A tip for wishing for love or career success: after praying and making your offerings, ask Uma Devi for your wish by stating your full name and what you'd like to ask for.
Wat Khaek (Sri Maha Mariamman Temple), Silom
Address: 2 Silom Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/zpbvtX78HqDTpCij8
FAQ
Where is Wat Khaek Silom?
At 2 Silom Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok.
Who is Uma Devi?
Uma Devi, or Parvati, is Shiva's consort and the mother of Ganesha and Skanda, and one of the three great goddesses (Tridevi).
When is Navratri at Wat Khaek?
From the 1st to the 9th day of the waxing moon in the 11th lunar month each year, with a grand procession.
How do you make a wish to Uma Devi?
Pray to Ganesha first, then to Uma Devi, make your offerings, and state your full name and what you're wishing for.
Can non-Hindus visit Wat Khaek?
Yes, the temple welcomes Thai and foreign visitors, but you must follow its rules strictly.
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