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HCMC’s Indian goddess temple serves Hindus and non-Hindus
Last update 19:59, Tuesday, 11/05/2010 (GMT+7)
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VietNamNet Bridge – No one knows exactly when the Indian goddess temple called Mariamman Temple was built in HCMC, but people there say it was first erected in the late 19th century by traders from Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. The main goddess of this temple is the Hindu goddess Mariamman, the main South Indian mother goddess who is predominant in most rural areas of Tamil Nadu and other southern states of this country.

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A visitor prays at the Mariamman Temple in HCM City.
Mariamman originated as an ancient village goddess related to fertility and rain.

The Hindu Temple serves Indian families who live in HCMC, but most of the devotees worshiping the goddess are Saigonese non-Hindus who believe in the power of Mariamman. Located at 45 Truong Dinh Street in HCMC’s District 3, the temple is regarded as a holy site and attracts thousands of people every week.

On the right is a statue of a goddess named Pechiamnan, a deity that destroys the devils. And on the left is a statue of a god named Madurai Veeran who is believed to be one of the great warriors of the southern kingdom of India who successfully fought against the enemy thanks to his bravery and talent, a man identified as Ba told me when I paid a visit to the temple.

Every devotee who comes to the temple buys offerings for the deities to show their gratitude to these gods. After finishing praying, the temple’s guardians will give manna, or so called gift of the gods. It may be a coconut, a small bag of green beans, a small bag of glutinous rice or a small bag of petals of jasmine, rose or marigold. People respect the manna as good luck that Mariamman brought to them.

Surrounding the outer walls of the temple are about twenty statues of gods such as Mahavishinu, Kaliyamman, Birman and Paramasivam. Also in District 1, there are two other Hindu Temples, Sri Thendayutthapani Temple and Sunbramaniar Temple. These enrich the city with a glimpse of Indian features in the spiritual life of Saigonese. The temple remains open to visitors from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and every Friday holds a ritual from morning to late evening.

VietNamNet/SGT

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