Liberal at heart
Published: 8/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Horizons
Built 150 years ago, Wat Phra Si Maha Umathewi is a house of Hindu deities at the junction of Bangkok’s Pan and Silom roads. More recently, though, its appeal seems to have expanded to include tourists and peoples of other faith.
Wat Khaek welcomes all, says Suraphong.
Suraphong Siridhornkul is secretary of the committee that runs day-to-day affairs of this Hindu temple that locals call Wat Khaek, and he’s adamant about one thing: the temple is a place of worship and should always be seen in that light, rather than a tourist attraction.
There’re rules every temple visitor has to follow: no smoking or alcoholic spirits inside temple compound where vegetarian food is the norm, he explained, failing which they would be thrown out.
“No meat, no poultry is allowed in while food for monks is cooked inside temple walls to ensure it is strictly vegetarian,” noted Suraphong, a third-generation Thai-Indian whose forebears built the temple. It welcomes everybody regardless of their faith or race, and there’s no admission fee.
Inside, visitors are served drinking water.
As for the temple’s origin, Suraphong revealed that it began as a house on a rented plot that became the meeting point for people of South Indian extraction where they came to pray and observe religious practices native to their land. There they built a temple after which they purchased the land with their hard-earned money.
Suraphong noted that his forebears were rather strict for they only allowed Hindus into the temple, but their descendants these days seem a more liberal crop because Buddhists and followers of other religions are welcome as well.
How easy is it for outsiders to participate in temple activities?
I am an advocate of freedom of religion. Everyone should be allowed to join our activities if they so desire. But for big events they must register first so we have a record just in case something untoward happens. As you can observe for yourself we don’t bar people from joining our activities but they must abide by our rules and regulations.
Why are visitors prohibited from taking photos within the temple grounds?
Going back a decade visitors were allowed to take photographs. We put an end to it after discovering that statues of our deities replicated from photographs taken inside the temple were being sold on footpaths of Silom. We were very upset. That’s sacrilege. We let them to take pictures because we thought it would help give them a better understanding of our faith and culture. Sadly, our faith was misplaced, so the ban.
How difficult is the task of maintaining this 150-year-old temple?
The original builders of the temple, craftsmen and painters were brought in from south India. Whenever there is a wear or tear, or a need for renovation, we fly them in from India.
In your opinion why is this temple so popular among Thai Buddhists?
Being one of the oldest Indian temples in Thailand it has a long history and the right background because Hinduism and Buddhism, given their roots, have much in common. Besides, Thais also have an affinity for gods, for they embrace other faiths rather readily; visiting a Hindu temple therefore is nothing strange. That said, Silom is also a busy financial district while the temple is a nice diversion for those needing peace of mind.
Navratri is a Hindu festival also popular in Bangkok. Tell us about its significance.
Navratri is observed to mark the victory of good over evil, goddess Durga slaying demon Mahishasura and Lord Rama killing Ravana. This same battle is being waged to this day. The festival lasting nine days is held to prepare devotees for this key battle.
Please tell us about Navratri processions due at the end of this month.
Keeping with tradition there will be eight parades made up of devotees local and overseas marching in processions around Silom. Security and traffic police will be on duty to ensure everything proceeds in an orderly manner. Last year the streets were packed, with barely any moving space.
Vehicles in the processions will be decked up with beautiful flower decorations. Among the fleet is one that’s been part of every procession for the past 59 years. It’s been repainted for one last fling this year, after which it will be retired.
*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *