Bangkok's Thep Man Thian Hindu Temple Celebrates 80-Year Legacy
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The Thep Man Thian Temple at the Hindu Samaj Association is a significant Brahmin-Hindu shrine in Thailand, located at 136/1-2 Siripong Road, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok.
The association's core principles follow Brahmin-Hindu teachings. A key activity, maintained consistently, is gathering every Monday night. Beyond chanting and singing hymns, members read and expound on lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, sometimes covering religious or cultural topics. The association also invites scholars from India to deliver sermons and exchange views with attendees.
The temple's history dates back over 80 years. During the Vijayadashami festival in 1925 (BE 2468), an important day for Thai Hindus of Indian origin (Bharat), they united to establish an association to unite the Bharat community. It began in a small building behind Wang Burapha (near the Brahmin Sao Chingcha shrine) under the name "Hindu Sabha," later changing to "Hindu Samaj Association" as it remains today.
As activities expanded, the original single-shophouse premises became too cramped, leading to an expansion into three adjacent shophouses. Recognizing the importance of supporting Thai youth education, the association founded Bharat Vidyalaya School on the same grounds.
After constructing the association building and school, the Thep Man Thian Temple was built. Sacred Hindu deities, revered by Hindus, were invited from India along with carved marble slabs. Sacred soil from four key Buddhist sites — Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon), and Kushinagar (parinirvana) — was also brought for sanctity and auspiciousness. Water from sacred Indian rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati was combined and enshrined at the temple for worship.
The association held a grand opening ceremony for Thep Man Thian on June 11, 1969 (BE 2512). His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother graciously presided over the ceremony.
Reaching Thep Man Thian Temple is straightforward. If you can reach the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (City Hall), you can walk there. It is near Benjamarachalai School, within the royal grounds of Wat Sutthatsan Thep Wararam, and near Sao Chingcha. The temple is inside Bharat Vidyalaya School; enter, turn right at the guard post, proceed to the school, and inform the police officer at the front that you wish to pay respects to the deities.
Basic info: The temple is open daily from 06:00 to 20:00, closing for three hours from noon to 3:00 PM. Before ascending to the temple, you will see a three-story marble building; the ground floor houses classrooms and school offices. Go right, then take the elevator or stairs up.
