Situated close to the Ben Thanh market, the Mariamman Hindu temple serves the small community of 100 or so Chinese and Vietnamese Tamil Hindus living in Ho Chi Minh City. It is the only Hindu temple that is still open in the city and is considered sacred by Hindu and non-Hindu Vietnamese. The temple is rumored to have miraculous powers, giving luck and wealth to those who worship within its walls.
Built at the end of the 19th century in honor of Mariamman the Hindu Goddess of strength, the temple’s first purpose was as a place of worship for the Chettiar community. Classically Hindu in style, the colorful temple features vibrant deity sculptures reminiscent of those usually found in Southern India, decorating external walls, rooftops, towers and the shrine inside. The temple was also once used as a factory in which Joss sticks were produced. Sacred images dance on the external walls which feature a royal tower at the entrance that stands 12 meters high. Gods and Goddesses, including Shiva, Kali, Brahma and Vishnu are prominently represented with Simha Vahanam sitting to the left of the entrance.
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