Story: Unseen Bangkok

Once in a while one comes across a place which is beyond comprehension. The Tuptim Shrine on Wireless Road in downtown Bangkok is one such place.

Located inside the Nai Lert Swissotel Hotel is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Tuptim. Like innumerable spirit house which can be seen in this part of the world, this is also one but with a bizzare twist. From the entrance to the end of this shrine, one can witness a 'crowd' of penises of different size, shape and material. No joke, the other name of this shrine is Lingam (Penis) Shrine.

No one knows the origin of this shrine except the fact that a wealthy Chinese businessman built this spirit house for Godess Tuptim who was believed to stay in the Ficus Tree there. How it turned into its present avatar is not known.

Confronted by this bizzare place or for some other unknown reason, this shrine was quickly believed to be a place for merit making for fertility. Till today, people mainly young married women, visit this place to ask for a baby. If granted with the wish, the offering to the goddess is a replica of penis.

Perhaps because of the societal definition of obscenity, no one talks about it neither anyone speaks about this. Even the residents of Swissotel are more often than not aware of the existance of this place within the Hotel campus.

Known or unknown, it remains a shrine which is a testimony of human faith and belief.

To reach there, one needs to get down at Phloem Chit BTS station. Coming out of the exit 5 near Home Pro store, one has to walk towards the Swiss Embassy (a road sign is there). Crossing the Swiss Embassy building, the Swissotel Hotel will come on the left.

Go inside the hotel lobby, walk straight down to the swimming pool, look for the exit for parking on the right and turn right and go straight. The entrance can not be missed.

If you are in Bangkok, visit this place...an experience worth the effort!!