Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek)

A working Hindu temple with a five-tiered tower of carved figures, best seen early before the crush.

4.7(14,031)Saint Louis BTS Station · 7 min walk
Directions

Plan your visit

Hours
Mon–Thu 06:00–20:00, Fri 06:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 06:00–20:30
Getting there
Saint Louis BTS Station
7 min walk

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.

Finding your way around Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek)

Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.

Getting there and around

  • On the corner of Silom Road and Pan Road in Bang Rak. BTS Surasak and Saint Louis are each about a ten-minute walk, and Chong Nonsi is a little further.
  • There's no parking, so come by BTS or taxi.

Details

Full opening hours
Monday06:00–20:00
Tuesday06:00–20:00
Wednesday06:00–20:00
Thursday06:00–20:00
Friday06:00–21:00
Saturday06:00–20:30
Sunday06:00–20:30

Why go, and how to do it well

Come at six in the morning if you can. This is a working Hindu temple, built in 1879 by Vaithi Padayatchi, a Tamil immigrant, and dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, and at peak times the entrance area gets packed enough that you'll be nudged along before you've taken in any of the detail. Reviewers who arrived on a Saturday found it heaving. Weekday afternoons are busy too, just less so.

What you're looking at is South Indian Dravidian architecture, a five-tiered tower crowded with hand-carved, brightly painted figures, which is a genuine change of gear from the Thai Buddhist temples elsewhere in the city. Inside, no photography, and the interior is worth putting the phone away for anyway. People come to pray to Ganesha, Parvati and others all day long, so treat it as somebody's place of worship first and a sight second.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026

Stay within reach of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek)

Sponsored

Search Bangkok hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.

See hotels near Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek)

Opens Booking.com with your dates

Also compare on Expedia · Trip.com

Tours that include Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek)

Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek).

Sponsored · GetYourGuide

Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek), nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek), round out your day in Bangkok with contrasting stops nearby.

Reviews from Google

I visited Wat Khaek in Bangkok and loved the beautiful South Indian architecture and peaceful atmosphere. I prayed and made offerings following KengNamping’s vlog, which made the experience meaningful. There are two offering sets priced at 60 or 100 THB, which include a tray of flowers, oil, drinking water and a random card (random). You can take water and a card home. You can also roll a 20-baht note and place it in a lotus to offer to the Goddess.🪷 For an Silver or gold eye-offering ritual, the sets cost 300 THB for silver or 1,000 THB for gold. When you give a tray to Brahmin priests, they will give you a flower garland, one fruit, holy water to take home. The holy water and drinking water can be used for bathing, washing your hair, or drinking. The temple feels very sacred, well maintained, and is a great place to visit for blessings and cultural experience in the city.

This was an amazing experience. Be sure to cover up and wear a mask. This is an Indian temple where the locals worship. No pictures allowed inside the temple. Inside is absolutely exquisite. It was inspiring to see how they worship and give offerings.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek) is visually stunning, but the visit can feel rushed and overcrowded, especially at peak times. The entrance area is often packed, and it may be difficult to spend time quietly appreciating the intricate details or taking photos without being pushed along. If you’re expecting a calm “temple visit,” this one can feel more hectic and touristy. Still, the architecture and colors are impressive—just go early, dress respectfully, and manage expectations about the crowds and limited space inside.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 14,031 reviews on Google.

2 Thanon Pan, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand

Open in Google Maps

More temples & culture nearby

All within a 14-minute walk of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek).

Number 1 Gallery
Hidden Gem

Number 1 Gallery

580 m walk4.5(216)
19 Soi Silom 21, Si Lom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
A compact indie art gallery and cafe tucked into Silom, showcasing rotating contemporary exhibitions.
Bangkokian Museum

Bangkokian Museum

670 m walk4.6(1,398)
273 Soi Saphan Yao, Khwaeng Si Phraya, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
A free glimpse into 1930s–40s Bangkok life through three beautifully preserved heritage houses in a peaceful garden.
Aurum Gallery
Hidden Gem

Aurum Gallery

1.0 km away4.7(111)
56 Charoen Krung 30, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Street art and urban art gallery inside Warehouse 30, owned by British artist and DJ Goldie, in Bangkok's Bang Rak district.
Wat Hualamphong

Wat Hualamphong

1.1 km away4.5(8,890)
728 Thanon Rama IV, Khwaeng Si Phraya, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
A calm royal temple by MRT Sam Yan, ornate inside and far quieter than Bangkok's big-name wats.

Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture

Mind Your Feet

Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.

Ask Before Photographing

Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.

Go Early Morning

Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek): Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sri Maha Mariamman Temple free?

Yes. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Offering sets of flowers, oil, water and a card are sold at the entrance for ฿60 or ฿100 if you'd like to take part.

What is Sri Maha Mariamman Temple?

Bangkok's main Hindu temple, also called Wat Khaek or Maha Uma Devi Temple, on Silom Road in Bang Rak. Vaithi Padayatchi, a Tamil immigrant, built it in 1879 in the South Indian style. The main shrine is to the goddess Sri Maha Mariamman, with shrines to Ganesh and Kartik.

What are the opening hours of Wat Khaek?

From 06:00 every day, closing at 20:00 Monday to Thursday, 21:00 on Friday and 20:30 at weekends.

Can you take photos inside Sri Maha Mariamman Temple?

Not inside. You can photograph the carved entrance tower from the street.

When is Navaratri at Wat Khaek?

Over ten days in September or October, set by the Tamil calendar. It ends with Sri Mariamman carried in procession along Silom Road, when part of the road closes to traffic. The temple is also lit up for Deepavali.

Is Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek) worth visiting?

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek) holds a 4.7★ rating from 14,031 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Bangkok.

Where is Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek) located?

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek) is at 2 Thanon Pan, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand, in Bangkok. Getting around Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (most central areas); MRT Metro (underground).

Also popular in Bangkok

Asiatique The Riverfront

Asiatique The Riverfront

4.4(75,448)
2194 ถ. เจริญกรุง Khwaeng Wat Phraya Krai, Khet Bang Kho Laem, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand
A riverside night bazaar in old dock warehouses, open daily 11:00 to midnight, reached by the free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier every 25 to 30 minutes from 16:00.
Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit

Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit

4.9(26,667)$$$$
3070 Sukhumvit 70 Alley, Bang Na Nuea, Khet Bang Na, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10260, Thailand
Kodtalay's Bang Na branch on Sukhumvit 70, ฿499 for live-tank prawns and crab grilled at your table with no time limit, six minutes from BTS Udom Suk.
반타이마사지 BanThai Masaje

반타이마사지 BanThai Masaje

4.9(6,087)
66 Chakrabongse Rd, Khwaeng Talat Yot, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Thai massage done properly for 300 baht an hour, with tea, fruit and a small gift on the way out.
Co van Kessel Bangkok Tours (River City)

Co van Kessel Bangkok Tours (River City)

4.9(4,271)
23 Charoen Krung 24, Khwaeng Talat Noi, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Bike the backstreets, then take a longboat out to the khlongs, in groups small enough to hear the guide.

Similar Temples & Culture across Thailand

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang

4.7(18,869)
QXPP+QCQ, 103 Prapokklao Road, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Come after dark, when the lighting turns the broken chedi into the most dramatic thing in the Old City.
Wat Karon

Wat Karon

4.3(3,402)
Patak Rd, Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100, Thailand
A twice-weekly temple market that's worth an hour if you're already in Karon, not a trip across the island.
Wat Tham Khao Tao

Wat Tham Khao Tao

4.4(2,175)
FX4J+Q25, Nong Kae, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand
A limestone cave temple south of town where the climb, not the shrines, is the real payoff.
Wat Khlong Son

Wat Khlong Son

4.4(97)
Moo 3, Tambom Ko Chang, Amphoe Ko Chang, Trat, 23170, ตำบล เกาะช้าง อำเภอ เกาะช้าง ตราด 23170, Thailand
A peaceful Buddhist temple in Koh Chang's oldest village, offering a glimpse into local spiritual life.