SRI THENDAYUTHAPANI TEMPLE — Attraction in Ho Chi Minh City

Among the three more well-known Hindu temple in Saigon, this is the best and they still keep very traditional Hindu practices like the burning camphor lamp during puja. The man in charge of this temple has his roots from Madras, India, and he has kept it very authentic as opposed to the other temples where Khmer priest were used. They also invited Brahmin priest from Malaysia when they consecrated the new murti (God statue). Lord Muruga as Dandayuthapani is the main deity, but typically Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Durga is worshipped too, with Krishna as Jaganath. Facing the main shrine is a stone peacock, being the vahana or vehicle of Muruga.The temple also have a stunning silver chariot with Lord Muruga and his two wives. His gurdian, Idumban is also present in the temple. Do go up to see the tower over the inner sanctum, and if u see the man in charge, he can show you photos of how the ceremonies were conducted in a traditional Indian way (some of which I have included here). There is also a stunning image of Muruga as Shammugam, the six-faced...

Being an Indian and emotional Bangali finding a puja mandap outside your country is like heaven. Durga Puja / festival is nostalgic to every Bengali on this earth once they grow up and start understanding the culture and heritage of India. During my two decades of professional career I spent quite a few Puja outside of my native place but this year it seems totally different from those years. At this grown age festival without loved ones really choking, disheartening and meaning less. Still once you see the face of the sculpture of Maa Durga it makes you happy and motivated and ensures your success year ahead. Though, I can manage to attend on Saptami morning only to the temple as I was down with a cough and cold from evening. But believe me those couple of hours in the morning feel me with immense enthusiasm to fight...

これほど不快で理不尽な場所はありません。観光地として完全に失格です。人生で最も不愉快な体験でした。

寺院に入った瞬間、突然現れた現地の年配女性に怒鳴られ、まるで監視員かのようにずっと付きまとわれました。持っていた杖を振り上げて威嚇され、暴力を振るわれる一歩手前でした。心から恐怖を感じました。

写真禁止の表示はどこにもなく、SNSには堂々と写真が上がっています。それを指摘しても「知らない」「関係ない」の一点張りで、まともに会話すら成立しません。見学は数分で遮られ、「帰れ」と怒鳴られて終わり。ここまで一方的かつ失礼な扱いを受けたのは初めてです。

心の平穏を求めて訪れたのに、精神的に傷つき、不快な思いしか残りませんでした。観光客を歓迎しない場所なら最初から閉鎖してほしい。怒りと悲しみしか残らない場所です。絶対におすすめしません。

This place was an absolute disgrace and a complete failure as a tourist destination. I left feeling furious, shocked, and deeply disturbed.

Right after I entered the temple, an older woman — seemingly a self-appointed guard — suddenly started shouting at me with no warning. She followed me around relentlessly, watching my every move. Then, to my horror, she raised her wooden stick and swung it toward me in a threatening manner. I genuinely feared I might be physically attacked.

There were no visible signs saying photography was forbidden, and I pointed out that photos from this temple are everywhere on social media. She simply replied, “I don’t know. I don’t care,” and continued harassing me. After barely a few minutes, she screamed “Leave!” and I was forced to exit without seeing anything peacefully.

This is not a place of peace or spiritual reflection — it’s a place of hostility and intimidation. If tourists are not welcome, then shut it down. This was one of the most disrespectful and frightening experiences I’ve ever had while traveling. Avoid at all costs.

Một trải nghiệm kinh hoàng và đáng xấu hổ. Nơi này không xứng đáng là điểm đến du lịch. Tôi rời khỏi đây với cảm giác bị xúc phạm, tức giận và sốc nặng.

Ngay khi tôi bước vào chùa, một người phụ nữ lớn tuổi – có vẻ như là người “tự phong” quản lý – bất ngờ la hét vào mặt tôi mà không có bất kỳ cảnh báo nào. Bà ta đi theo tôi sát sao, như thể tôi là tội phạm. Điều tồi tệ nhất là bà ấy cầm gậy và vung lên đe dọa, suýt nữa đánh vào người tôi. Tôi thực sự thấy sợ hãi và bị đe dọa.

Không hề có biển báo cấm chụp hình. Khi tôi nói rằng có rất nhiều ảnh từ nơi này trên mạng xã hội, bà ta chỉ trả lời “Tôi không biết. Không quan tâm.” và tiếp tục làm phiền. Chưa được vài phút, tôi bị đuổi ra khỏi chùa bằng tiếng quát mắng.

Nơi này không phải nơi yên bình hay tôn nghiêm — mà là nơi gây tổn thương và hăm dọa du khách. Nếu không hoan nghênh khách tham quan, thì hãy đóng cửa lại. Tôi chưa từng bị đối xử vô lễ và xúc phạm như vậy khi đi du lịch. Tuyệt đối...