Navaratri in Thailand is a vibrant and deeply spiritual celebration honouring the Divine Mother, particularly Goddess Mariamman, who is widely venerated in Thailand as Phra Mae Uma Devi (Uma Dewi). At the heart of the celebrations is the magnificent Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, commonly known as Wat Khaek Silom, on Silom Road in Bangkok. Established in 1879 by Tamil migrants from South India, the temple is widely regarded as Thailand’s largest and most prominent Hindu temple and remains an important spiritual and cultural centre for the Thai-Tamil community as well as Hindu devotees from across Thailand.

During Navaratri, the temple comes alive with nine days of prayers, pujas and sacred rituals, as thousands of devotees gather to honour Mariamman, the revered Tamil Mother Goddess associated with protection, healing and the power of Shakti. Throughout the festival, visitors can witness colourful floral offerings, sacred ceremonies, devotional chanting, incense and traditional Hindu worship. The atmosphere becomes particularly magical in the evenings, when the beautifully illuminated temple draws large crowds of devotees seeking the Goddess’s blessings.

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The spectacular finale comes on the tenth day, Vijayadashami, when the sacred image of the Goddess is taken from the temple in a magnificent chariot procession through the streets of Silom. Accompanied by devotees, music and elaborate decorations, the procession transforms one of Bangkok’s busiest districts into a vibrant celebration of faith and culture. Along the route, temporary devotional shrines dedicated to Amman—the Tamil Mother Goddess tradition—including Mariamman, Kaliamman and other manifestations of the Divine Mother, are created by local devotees and businesses. Worshippers stop to offer flowers and prayers, perform arati and receive prasadam.

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For visitors, Navaratri at Wat Khaek offers a rare opportunity to witness living Tamil Hindu heritage in the heart of modern Bangkok—a spectacular fusion of devotion, colour, music, ritual and community that culminates in one of the city's most memorable religious processions.