Mariamman Hindu Temple

Mariamman Hindu Temple is a small South Indian-style temple at 45 Truong Dinh in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a five-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market. It was built in the late 19th century by the Tamil community who settled in Saigon during the French colonial period, and it is the only Hindu temple in regular use in the central area. The temple is dedicated to Mariamman, a goddess associated with rain and with curing disease, and many local worshippers, including Vietnamese, Chinese and Indian visitors, come to pray for health and good fortune. Its most striking feature is the tiered gopuram, or entrance tower, covered in brightly painted figures of deities and guardians in typical South Indian style. Inside, the main shrine houses the goddess surrounded by smaller shrines to Ganesha and other deities, and worshippers leave offerings of flowers, fruit and incense. The temple is compact, and a visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. Visitors should remove shoes at the door and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep voices low. Photography is usually tolerated in the courtyard, but visitors should ask before photographing worshippers or the main shrine. Mornings, when devotees make offerings, give the most atmospheric visit, and the temple is quieter in the afternoon. It is open from about 7:30am to 6:00pm daily and entry is free, with donations welcome. Because of its central location, it fits easily into a walking route that includes Ben Thanh Market, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Nearby streets also hold a number of Indian restaurants and shops.