Location
Jalan Besar, 13600 Perai, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
History
“The Sri Selva Vinayagar temple was built as a wooden temple about 103 years ago. It was formerly known as Pillaiyar or Vinayagar temple. This temple was earlier maintained by the Prai railway and port labourers. The Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple was reconstructed in 1967.Two Kumbabishegams were held in 1974 and 1991 respectively. 17 years have passed since the last renovation in 1991. This temple was officially registered in 1987 under the Malaysia Society Act 1966 under the name of Kuil Sri Selvavinayagar Hindu Paripalana Devasthanam. Due to public road works, including the construction of an overhead bridge, the land between the road & the temple has been elevated. This in turn, effectively leaves our temple 5 feet below the road level. Furthermore this has caused cracks to appear on the ceiling & the Vimana, resulting in severe water leakage when it rains. This caused the inside of the temple to be wet & slippery, posing a hazard to devotees. Also the older temple layout did not have an access road in front (main entrance) since it is immediately facing the side wall of a neighboring house. The lack of an access road in front of the temple has resulted in devotees coming from the rear of the temple, circumnavigating their way to the main entrance.”New Structure
“Considering the above factors as well as land area limitations, the management committee decided that the Sri Selva Vinayagar’s new abode should be built as a double-storey structure at the current location facing west instead. The new structure is estimated to cost RM 3 million, based on the Quantity Surveyor’s report. On the 11th February 2008, a Palasthabana ceremony was conducted to relocate the deities of the temple to a temporary location next to the Temple. We invoke the Lord’s blessings and call upon you, the devotees and well wishers, to fully support this noble cause by generously contributing in terms of cash, kind & also words of encouragement. Furthermore, the temple has received the approval of tax exemption from the Inland Revenue Board. All donations can be given directly at our temple premises or deposited into our bank account.”
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| Sree Vijayanayagam a/l S K Arasanayagam | Chairman |
| Suresh a/l Chelliah | Vice Chairman |
| Ulaganthan a/l Munusamy | Secretary |
| Arumugam a/l Iylu | Treasurer |
| Ravinchandran a/l Doraisamy | Member |
| Nedunchalian a/l V.Ramiah | Member |
| Krishnamoorthy a/l Nadayson | Member |
| Palaniveloo a/l Kolandasamy | Member |
| Dharmalingam a/l Doraisamy | Member |
| Muniandy a/l T.Manikam | Member |
| Subramaniam a/l M. Muniandy | Member |
Dewi Sri Annai Thropathi Amman Temple, Ladang Victoria, Nibong Tebal, Penang is now under the management of Penang Hindu Endowments Board.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| Subramaniam a/l Thangaveloo | Chairman |
| Sitra a/l Murugasen | Secretary |
| Ellangovan a/l Gengan | Treasurer |
| Srithar Rau a/l Applasamy | Member |
| Thirunavarasu A/l Ramayah | Member |
| Dinagaran a/l Subramaniam | Member |
| Letchumanan a/l Velaiyatham | Member |
| L.Asok Kumaar a/l Loghanadan | Member |
| Vanitha a/p M.Annamalai | Member |
| Linawati a/p Navaneethan | Member |
Dewi Sree Veerapathra Maha Kaliamman Temple, Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, Penang is now under the management of Penang Hindu Endowments Board.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| Nageswara Rao a/l Surianarayanan PJM, PKT | Chairman |
| Munusamy a/l Vellayen | Vice Chairman |
| Kalaivarasi a/l Sivarajau | Secretary |
| Narayanasamy Muniandy | Asst. Secretary |
| Givahn a/l Prabakaran | Treasurer |
| Ravi a/l Muniandy | Member |
| Manogaran a/l Muninady | Member |
| Tineshwara Rao a/l Nageswara Rao | Member |
| Gunasingh a/l James | Member |
| Santhy a/p Marimuthu | Member |
| Saraswathi a/p Kaliappan | Member |
| Shamindran a/l Ponniah | Member |
| Mugilan a/l Balu | Member |
| Kalisvaran Pitchay | Member |
| Ramyaasri Ragenderal | Member |
Sri Sakthi Vinayagar Temple, Jalan Fettes, Penang is now under the management of Penang Hindu Endowments Board.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| Rajah a/l Ganesan | Chairman |
| Ravindaran a/l Siridaran Pillai | Secretary |
| Kamelindran Tanasekharan | Treasurer |
| Murugiah A/l Subramani | Member |
| Ram Kumar s/o Krishnasamy | Member |
| V.S Vijeyen a/l Veerasingam | Member |
| Tanggavelo A/l Govindasamy | Member |
| Doriasamy a/l Valaithan | Member |
| Paloochamy a/l R Kuppusamy | Member |
| Valayutham a/l Subramaniam | Member |
| Sithravelu a/l Thanimalai | Member |
| Sivendran a/l Thiagarajah | Member |
| Sivalingam a/l Krishnan | Member |
| Shunmugam a/l Thiagarajah | Member |
| Letchumanan a/l R.M.Attappan | Member |
Location:
York Close 10460, Penang Malaysia
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Sri Ramar Temple,Penang
Prayer Time
7.30 am to 12.00 noon and 6.00pm to 9.00pm
On 2nd May 1802, the East India Company owned by the Governor of Prince of Wales Island, Sir George Leith Boranet Lieutenant granted Ranee a piece of land in the district of Ayer Itam. Ranee created a trust fund in respect of the land known as Lot 171 and 172 T.S. 3 for the temple charity. This trust was further confirmed by a WILL dated 12th July 1872 and a Trust deed created in 1920 and was administered by respective trustees from time to time.
The temple housed a clay image depicting Lord Sri Rama and some photographs of Sri Rama placed in the sanctorum. After the image therein worshipped, the temple is today known as “Sri Ramar Temple”.
Sri Ramar Temple – Early 1920’s
From the above historical development it is presumed that the temple structure was created sometime prior in 1872, thereby placing this temple in the category of being one of the oldest temples in Penang. By a Legislative Order the trust was passed in 1930 to the Mohammedan and Hindu Endowment Board and subsequently to the Hindu Endowment Board.
A management committee, appointed by Hindu Endowment Board had taken steps to renovate the temple which was in a bad state of repair. All necessary approvals were obtained and plans for the renovation and extension had been submitted to the relevant authorities. New idols of Sri Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Nagar, Vinayagar and Bali Peedam were purchased. The first consecration was help on 2nd April 1982. This consecration ceremony is held once every 12 years. The last consecration ceremony was held on 27th January 1991.
The next consecration ceremony is behind time as it requires a large sum of money for the renovations and repairs. Estimated cost for the renovations and repairs will be RM700,000. We plan to have the consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishegam) on October 2011. We would like to humbly request financial and solidarity support from devotees in supporting our plan to perform a consecration ceremony for Sri Ramar Temple.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| Villantheran a/l Govindasamy | Chairman |
| Suresh Kumar a/l Subramaniam | Secretary |
| Sarvanasivan Ganesan | Treasurer |
| Ahbereme a/p Radhakrishnan | Member |
| Jivernesh Chandra Sagaran | Member |
| Kalaivani a/p Muniandy | Member |
| Kesaven a/l Karisianan | Member |
| Muniandy a/l Manikam | Member |
| Muralitharan a/l Muthu | Member |
| N. Thirunavukkarasu a/l Narayanasamy | Member |
| Rishikeshan Naidu a/l Kalingaretnam | Member |
| Sathiya Suriya a\l Ganesan | Member |
| Surendren a/l Chandra Sagaran | Member |
| Sathiya Suriya a\l Ganesan | Member |
| Vijayakumari a/p Veloo | Member |
| Gobi Kanniah | Member |
Work Schedule & Commencement
The propose renovation will take 6 to 8 months to complete and upon completion the Maha Kumbabishegam will be held in October 2011.
Scope of work
> Approval from relevant authority
> Tender and Awarding Process
> Dismantling old structure
> Erecting new Sannathi’s
> Renovation – Flooring (new non-slip tiling with décor)
> Renovation – New concrete slab roofing with décor
> Sabathy works and painting
> Decoration and Sculpture works
> Minor repairs and touchup to current main temple
Cost of Renovation
The entire cost of renovation is estimated at RM700,000.00 and the breakdown of cost as follows:-
| Concrete Slab Roofing | RM250,000.00 (including the décor ) |
| New Flooring | RM120,000.00 |
| Painting | RM60,000.00 (internal and external) |
| New Sannathi’s | RM50,000.00 (Vengadasalapathy) |
| RM50,000.00 (Mahalakshimi) | |
| RM15,000.00 (Sri Vinayagar pidam) | |
| RM10,000.00 (Sri Hanuman) | |
| RM10,000.00 (Sri Chakaratalavar) | |
| RM10,000.00 ( Sri Vishnu Durga) | |
| RM10,000.00 (Sri Navagaraga) | |
| Repairs & Touchup | RM50,000.00 (Water proofing, grouting and minor repairs) |
| Maha Kumbabishegam | RM100,000.00 |
Donation & Contributions
With the concern and support of the public we hope to carry out this project successfully. We hope that this temple will live on to meet the religious need of our people and we appeal to you for your kind and generous support in cash and kind.
The Temple Management Committee will from time to time will update all donors who have donated more than RM500.00 on the progress of the project until completion.
Kindly be informed that the donations are tax exempted under Section 44(6) Akta Cukai. Donations can be banked into the temple’s saving account. Sri Ramar Thirupani. Acc No: 507059421382 (Maybank). We will issue you the official receipt upon receiving your bank in slip.
If you have any enquiries or need for further information, please feel free to contact any of the committee members:-
(1) Mr. Karunagaran(Chairman) 0164430164
(2) Mr.Suresh Kumar (Vice Chairman) 0194718283
(3) Mr. Kuna(Treasurer) 012470l527
(4) Mr. Villan (Sub-Committee Chairman) 0124830007
Temple Management Committee seeks your support and donations to make this project a success. Your generous donation and assistance is highly appreciated. May you and family receive the blessing of Lord Ramar.
SRI RAMAR TEMPLE, Temple Management Committee
Temple:
Sri Kunj Bihari Mandir, Penang
Location:
224, Shri Kunj Bihari, Penang Road, Georgetown, 11600 Penang, Malaysia.
Prayer Time
Website:
http://www.skbtpenang.com
Facebook:
http://fb.skbtpenang.com
http://www.facebook.com/skbtpenang
The Sri Kunj Bihari Mandir, also known as Krishna Mandir (Temple) as well as Thakorwadi, is the first (and probably only) Northern Indian temple in Penang. It was built in 1835 after receiving an endowment from the Hindus from Bihar in North India in 1833. The temple came under The Hindu Endowments Board in 1906. From then onwards this temple has been administrated by the management committee appointed by the Endowment Board. At that time, the area around the temple was a settlement for the North Indian community comprising the Punjabis, Gujaratis, Sindhis, Bengalis and Uttar Pradeshi Bhaiyas.
According to historical records, Sir George Leith, the Lieutenant Governor of Prince of Wales island, granted a piece Ismail in 1803. From there many years were to pass before a temple was built. It was to be one of the two main Vaishnavite temples in Penang, dedicated for the worship of Vishnu as the supreme deity. Priests for the temple had to be imported from India.
While the lineage of priests serving the temple going back to its founding years have been lost to time, oral testimony has allowed the temple authorities to trace its roots back to the early 1900’s. One of the earliest known priests of the Sri Kunj Bihari Mandir was Pandit. Sri Charan Bhatacharjee born in 1866 and arrived in Penang in 1904.
The Sri Kunj Bihari continued to serve as the religious centre for Hindus from various ethnic backgrounds. Sri Bahari Road nearby is said to take its name from this temple.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| R Anel Sharma | Chairman |
| Pirshotam Mohandas | Secretary |
| Nareshchandra a/l Shivlal Jakisandas | Treasurer |
| Rajendra Prasad a/l Chandiram | Vice Chairman |
| Alka Kaur Sandhu | Member |
| Ramesh Kumar Sharma | Member |
| Arvind Das | Member |
| Kalpanaben Rajendrakumar Pinangwala | Member |
| Priyanka Chhajer | Member |
| Renu Kumari a/p Suresh Prasad | Member |
| Sanjayakumar a/l Ramanlal | Member |
| Shakuntala a/p Shiulal | Member |
| Bhaskar A/l M.J Vora | Member |
| Kishin Pirshotam Nainani | Member |
| Vijay Kumar a/l Ramambhai B.Patel | Member |
Location:
Jalan Tokong Lama, Bagan Luar, 12000 Butterworth, Penang, MALAYSIA
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Sree Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple
Sree Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple is a Hindu temple in Bagan Luar, Penang, Malaysia. It is in fact the biggest and probably oldest Hindu temple in Butterworth. Maha Mariamman Devasthanam, a temple dedicated to the mother deity Amman, is the temple for the Hindu community that dwells along Jalan Jeti Lama. The area within the vicinity is a Hindu settlement called Kampung Benggali. Today, there is still a substantial Hindu population living in the area, and businesses such as the Sri Ananda Bharvan Banana Leaf Restaurant is a reflection of the Hindu presence. The Hindus are mostly associated with the Butterworth port. They either worked directly there, or provided supporting trades such as opening sundry shop and food outlets.
The Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple is noted for its impressive gopuram which towers over the buildings in the vicinity.
The Butterworth Sree Maha Mariamman temple was founded back in 1853. Ambal’s idol was found by the seaside on 1853 and a small hut was build consecutively to place Ambal’s idol for worship. In 1903, Ponnusami Pillai constructed a temple on the same spot and the 1st consecration ceremony (Kumbabishegam) took place. The current temple structure was build in 1980’s with the consecration ceremony taking place on 1988. On 2002, after some minor renovation works, another consecration ceremony took place.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| V.L. Ganesan a/l Letchumanan | Chairman |
| Laxma Yogendran a/l P Venugopal | Secretary |
| Subermaniam a/l Singavellu | Treasurer |
| Krishnan a/l Subramaniam | Member |
| Murugan a/l Achuthan | Member |
| Sashi Kumar a/l Sarangapani | Member |
| Magendhran Sinnivasan | Member |
| Kumara Vellu a/l Selvaraju | Member |
| Kumaraguru Ganesan | Member |
| Saravanan a/l Pandian | Member |
| Bidesh Manoranjan a/l Suppiah | Member |
| Veera Sarugunan a/l Muniandy | Member |
| Kapildeiv a/l Valmurugan | Member |
| Sastikumaran a/l Vythialingam | Member |
| Gopalakrishnan a/l Balasubramaniam | Member |
Built in 1833, the Arulmigu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, Malaysia, and features fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and facade. It is located at Lebuh Queen (Queen Street). It is also known as Mariamman Temple or Queen Street Indian Temple. Throughout the years, the Sri Mahamariamman temple has also been known by several names: Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple, Sri Arulmigu Mahamariamman Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple. All these names refer to the same temple. The temple is open daily from 6.30 am – 12.00 noon and 4.30 pm – 9.00 pm. It became a place of worship as early as 1801 and became a temple on 1833. It has stood at the same place for more than 200 years.
Location:
Lebuh Queen, George Town 10200 Penang Penang Malaysia.
Prayer Time:
6.30 am – 12.00 noon and 4.30 pm – 9.00 pm.
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Queen Street Sri Maha Mariamman
Temple site
The temple is in central Georgetown on Lebuh Queen (Queen Street) and the back entrance is on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Pitt Street), in between Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Chulia. Located in Penang’s Little India, in the capital city of Georgetown, the Sri Maha Mariamman temple reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Visitation to this temple is limited to morning and evening. Temple opens starts from morning 6 am till 12 pm and evening from 5 pm till 9 pm. The temples closes after the prayers are performed at 12 pm and 9 pm respectively. Daily there will be Pujas (prayers), mornings 7.30 am and evening 6.30 pm. Prayers are usually conducted by the temple priests in these times and visitors may observe these prayer sessions taking place. If you wish to enter the Sri Mahamariamman temple, it would be polite to ask permission from any of the priests and please remember to remove your shoes before entering the temple grounds.
The Mahamariamman Temple back entrance in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Pitt Street). This tropical island of Penang, lies in the Indian Ocean, just off the north-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang’s rapid growth as a trading hub in the early 19th century, especially in commodities such as nutmegs, cloves and pepper attracted traders from Europe, America, Arabia, India as well as China. Each then established communities, and adopted lifestyles similar to their homeland. It was during this time that the Tamil Indians arrived in the island’s bustling harbour, and established their own ‘Little India’ community in the city. The early Indian settlers, who came to this island to toil and trade, established this beautiful little abode for mother, so that her poresence can be felt as their guardian deity and guide in their times of trials and tribulations.
Dating back as early as 1801, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple is recognised as an elaborate and spiritual place of worship. Like most Indian temples in Penang, the Penang Sri Mahamariamman began as a small and simple shrine. Not much is known about the early days of the temple or of the persons who founded it. The land was granted in 1801 by the British to Betty Lingam Chetty, who was then the Kapitan (Headman, Kepala or Community Leader) of the Tamils and South Indians. This is confirmed by another grant written in 1831. But, as to how the temple came to be built on this land or who founded it, there is no information. Caption James Low confirms the existence of a temple in Georgetown in 1835. The fact that the Mariamman temple was founded in 1833 is first mentioned in a notice of ‘Kumbabishegam’ (consecration ceremony) held one hundred years later in 1933. But except for the date, not much else has been said about its founding in that document.
Built originally as a shrine, it was later that the Indian community found a need for a proper temple ground for worshipping. This was to accommodate the ever increasing Indian community presence on the island. This was done to ensure that the Indian community, which includes the merchants, labourers and sepoys are settled in one particular area, for ease of managing the group. The majority of the people who lived around the temple were waterfront workers who were the backbone of the Penang port. These Indian stevedores were organised in groups called kootam – a member of a kootam is a kootakadai, and heading each kootam is a thandal. Together, the Indian community numbered about 2000 workers and they inhabited the area bounded by Lebuh Queen, Lebuh King, Lebuh Penang, Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Gereja, an area collectively known as Ellammuchanthi in Tamil, or Simpang Lelong in Malay.
The Sri Mahamariamman shrine was enlarged into a temple in 1833. Incidentally, since this was when it became a proper temple, the year 1833 is taken as the year that it was founded. At the time of its founding, it was known as the Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple. It was only in 1980 that it became known by its present name, Sri Arulmigu Mahamariamman Temple although the name is often written as Sri Mariamman Temple, Mahamariamman Temple and so on.
From its inception, the temple provided an important place of worship for early Indian immigrants and is now an important cultural and national heritage. In those days, it was done to ensure the Indian community, which includes the early working settlers like merchants and laborers are settled in one area to ease managing them. By 1833, the shrine through the efforts of the Indian settlers, turned to a temple and was renovated to its present form a hundred years later.
According to a document of civil suit brought before the courts in 1904, the names of five trustees who looked after the temple from 1892 till 1904 are Veerasamy, Murugan Chettiyar, Govindasamy Pillai, Veleritta Taver and Meyappah. The temple came under The Mohamedan and Hindu Endowments Board in 1906. From then onwards this temple has been administrated by the management committee appointed by the Endowment Board. It appears that from the beginning of the Endowments Board’s administration, a few temples and other institutions have been clustered and left under the care of this management committee. They were Arulmigu Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple in Waterfall (Hilltop), the Arulmigu Sri Ganesha Temple in Waterfall, the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Queen Street, Hindu Cemetery and Cremation Ground in Batu Lanchang and a Hindu Funeral Rites Ground in Jalan Air Itam. From 1967 onwards, the board is known as the Hindu Endowments Board, which is currently managing this temple.
The Hindu Mahajana Sangam, which was formed in 1935, has had close association with this temple and other temples under the care of the same management. many members have served in both institutions. They have also been associated with the temple’s formation, renovation and maintenance.
1st Kumbabishegam (1933)
It was only in 1933 that this temple acquired the present form and structure. In that year the temple was extensively renovated and consecration ceremony was held in 12 June 1933. According to the notice of the consecration ceremony, the foundation stone for the new structure was laid by Mr. V. Natesam Pillay, JP. The Sri Muthu Mariamman temple having become too small and too decayed, the Hindu gentlemen of Penang, with their initiative and preserverence, have bought up two buildings to the north of the temple, expanded the presence space and formed a temple in accordance with the Siva agamas a sanctum, Arthamandapam (antechamber), Mahamandapam (hall), prakaram (circumambient), vimanam (dome), surrounding walls and Rajagopuram (entrance tower). These renovations were carried out by a management committee consisting of S. Ekamparam Pillai, C. Subbaraya Pillay, S. P. Natesam Pillay, P. Kalimuthu Vandayar, K. V. Karuppiah Thandal and M. R. Raju.
2nd Kumbabishegam (1958)
It is also known that further repairs were done in 1958 and a consecration ceremony, albeit on a small scale was carried out under the leadership of Mr. Doraisamy Thevar JP.
3rd Kumbabishegam (1980)
Since 1958 no repairs or renovations were done to the temple. This caused some serious decay to the structures and sculptures. In 1978 till 1980 extensive renovation was done. A sculptor from the Academy of Sculptors in Mahapalipuram, Chennai and two assistant sculptors were brought from India to restore the structure. Although the basic form of the 1933 structure had been retained, many new areas have been added. A new hall 31 feet x 27 feet, suitable for small religious functions has been added. over this, another story has been added for administrative offices.
While most of the sculptures have been preserved, some new ones have also been added. the statues of the nine forms of Sakthi now surround the outerwalls of the sanctum. The inner walls of the sanctum, antechamber and the floring of the whole temple have been changed. the entire temple has been repainted. The smaller shrines of Visvanathar, Visalatchi, Chandikeswarar and Bairavar have domes of their own which have been gold plated. Within the sanctum, a new statue of Mahamariamman, towering over the main deity, has been formed. At the feet of the main deity, a Sri Chakram has also been erected.
The temple’s name which was known as Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple till then was changed to Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
4th Kumbabishegam (1998)
The present renovation was begun in mid-1997. While basically preserving the existing temple structure, some minor modifications were made such as replacing of tiles in the sanctum and the whole temple flooring, replacing the peedam in the sanctum, replacing the Komugi, a new Ganesha, Visveswarar, Rahu and Kethu icons, new Navagraha peedam, new flag post with concrete base, statues of Bala Ganesha and Bala Murugan, Ashta Lakshmi 8 statues and 2 lion statues on the left and right of the temple main entrance.
The Mahamariamman Temple gopuram (tower) and vimanam (dome). Built in the south Indian Dravidian style, the temple most outstanding feature is the impressive gopuram (tower). Rising above the entrance, it features Hindu deities, soldiers and floral decorations. On the entrance of Penang Sri Mariamman Temple, you get to see a 23.5 feet tall sculptured tower or Gopuram. Also the 38 statues of Gods and Goddesses and 4 swans featuring the Hindu Goddess Mahamariamman in Her many incarnations such as Meenatchi, Kamatchi, Visalatchi, Bhuvaneswari surrounds the colorful four-tiered crown. It is topped with five small kalasams. With subsequent renovations carried out over the years by Hindus artisans and sculptors from India and locals, from makeshift huts to heavily ornate and brightly shining with diamonds and precious stones, Penang Sri Mahariamman Temple is a sight to behold. The interiors of the temples are heavily sculptured with deities of Lord Ganesha is in the left pillar and Lord Muruga, his brother, is on the right pillar. The eight female figures adorning the pillars inside the temple are of Ashta Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth). On the left wall there are sculpture of the Nadaraja and Sivakami in dancing posture of the cosmic dance. Many statues of deities, gods and goddesses can be seen on the walls surrounding the inner shrine of Penang Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
The primary deity Goddess mahamariamman is seated at the moolastanam (sanctum) of the karuvarai (sanctum sanctorum). The temple has an artha mandapam (antechamber), mukha mandapam, mahamandapam (hall), prakaram (circumambient), vasantha mandapam (festive hall) and kodi maram (flag post). The signs of the zodiac are carved in wood on the ceiling. The dome or vimanam of the temple is on a base 12.5 feet square and has a height of 27.25 feet. This is in three sections and contains 20 statues of gods and goddesses and 12 lions. Its kalasam is 3.5 feet and is gold plated.
The back entrance tower is 10.5 feet high and contains 13 statues of gods and goddesses and 4 lions and a swan with partially human form. Once every 12 years, in keeping with Hindu tradition, the temple is reconsecrated. Previous consecrations are in 1933, 1958, 1980 and 1998.
The Deity
Mariamman is popularly worshipped by overseas Indians, especially Tamils because she is looked upon as their protector. She is the Goddess of disease, rain and protection and is associated with enormous powers in the physical realm, particularly destructive, and protects her devotees from unholy or demonic events.
Historians claimed that the worship of Mariamman started as a tribal religion of the Dravidians. Mariamman is a manifestation of the goddess – Parvati, an incarnation embodying Mother Earth with all her terrifying force.
In the Hindu pantheon, however, the original mother form of the Maha Sakthi is the Primal Source of All Energy – from where everything – all matter and energy comes. The Sakthi is credited with the creation of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, the three main gods of creation, sustenance and destruction.
The word Mariamman come from two words: “Mari” meaning “power” and “amman” meaning “mother”. Maha stands for great. So this Mahamariamman temple tells you, it houses the great powerful mother. And some Indians considers Sri Mariamman to be the mother of Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga. So to many locals, when asks which temple they are going, some simply said “Amman Temple”. Mahamariamman, the primary deity is seated at the moolastanam (sanctum) of the karuvarai (sanctum sanctorum) facing east. Ganesha and Subramaniyaswami are installed at the artha mandapam (antechamber) facing east. There is a surrounding circumambulatory path. At the mukha mandapam we may find the vahana (vehicle) of the Goddess which is lion, the bali peedam (sacrificial altar) and the kodi maram (flag post) is also found facing west towards Mahamariamman. Stone carvings of the cosmic dance of Lord Nadaraja and His consort Goddess Sivakami are found at the wall facing south at the vasantha mandapam (festive hall).
Shrines for sub deities facing east are Lord Visveswarar and Goddess Visalatchi are installed at the left and right side of the sanctum sanctorum respectively. The shrine of Lord Chandikeswarar is facing south towards the sanctum sanctorum. The shrine of Lord Bairavar is found at the north east corner facing south. Lord Thatchinamoorthy facing south and Vishnu Dhurga facing north are installed at the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum. The Navagraham (nine planets) are found at the north east corner of the temple.
Housed within its ornately decorated interior is the priceless panchaloka (an alloy of five metals: gold, silver, copper, zinc and tin) statue of Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramaniyaswami and Mahamariamman embellished with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds.
The priceless Goddess Mahamariamman’s statue is paraded on a wooden chariot during the Vijayadashami day on the end of the Navarathiri festival. The priceless Lord Subramaniaswamy’s statue figures prominently in the annual Chithra Pournami festival when it is borne on a wooden chariot through the city streets to the Arulmigu Sri Balathandayuthapani Hilltop temple in Waterfall, Penang.
The temple is particularly packed on Navarathiri, Chithra Pournami, Deepavali and Thaipusam with thousands of devotees eager to offer their prayers on the holy days. In the year 2008, there was a big celebration commemorating the temple’s 175th anniversary.
1.Navarathri
The most auspicious event for the temple is the Navarathri festival. The festival begins with the lion flag raising ceremony and ends with a procession where the panchaloka deity of Mahamariamman is paraded in a decorated wooden chariot through the streets of Little India. (Navarathri is nine nights vegetarian festival). According to the Hindu Puranas (holy books), the festival is held to commemorate the victory of Goddess Parasakthi over the demon king Mahishasuran. It was stated that the evil king ill-treated the people that they turned to the goddess, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, to save them. Goddess Parasakthi fought a battle for nine days and ultimately destroyed him on the 10th day, which is known as Vijayadashami.
Various Indian organizations and communities would sponsor the prayers for each nights. On the Final tenth day of the celebration, Vijayadashami is celebrated by Hindu Mahajana Sangam. The sangam organized the chariot procession for many years from Queen Street, Sri Mahamariamman Temple to Dhoby Ghaut in Air Itam. The festival celebration is concluded after shooting of arrows from the chariot in the evening in the Dhoby Ghaut. The chariot returns to the temple at about midnight the same day. Since the late 1970s, the organization of the chariot procession had been taken over from the sangam by the Temple committee and the Hindu Endowments Board. The chariot procession is now confined to fort Cornwallis area in the Esplanade. However, the sangam still continues to celebrate the annual Navarathiri festival’s final tenth day Vijayadashami Ubayam every year without fail.
2.Chithra Pournami (Chitraparuvam)
The Hindu Mahajana Sangam, with notable among the festivals, the annual Chitraparuvam Festival which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May) every year, is organized with a chariot procession of the panchaloka deity of Lord Subramaniyaswami from Queen Street Sri Mahamariamman Temple. It is the day of the first full moon of the first Tamil month. In early years, the festival starts with special pooja and ubayam for the Hindu Mahajana Sangam “Koota Kadai” in Queen Street Mahamariamman Temple, the chariot procession commences in the early morning 7.00 am and reached Waterfall Dewan Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji Ashram) in the afternoon, the deity then carried and placed in the ashram until the return journey of the chariot to Queen Street Sri Mahamariamman temple in the evening of the same day.
Since early 1970s this festival is celebrated for three days. The deity of Lord Subramaiyaswami brought procession from the Queen Street Sri Mahamariamman temple passing through many street and roads before reaching the Waterfall Arulmigu Sri Ganesha temple. The deity is carried up to the Hilltop Arulmigu Sri Balathadayuthapani Temple. The second day would be the Chitraparuvam Festival where the deity would be taken procession around the hilltop temple compound in the evening. On the third day evening, the deity would be carried down and placed on the chariot procession journey back to the Queen Street Sri Mahamariamman temple. In 1990, the Hindu Mahajana Sangam imported a new chariot from India, for the annual Chitraparuvam Festival celebration to replace the old chariot which was found to be not road worthy and in a decaying condition.
3.Thaipusam
Celebrated on the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). Although it is celebrated in the Waterfall Arulmigu Sri Balathandayuthapani Hilltop temple, Sri Mahamriamman temple is not left behind as there are religious activities associated with this festival. The Hindu Mahajana Sangam members carry a traditional kavadi weighing approximately 80 kilos known as “ Atta Kavadi” since 1926 from Queen Street Sri Mahamariamman temple in the evening to Dewan Mahatma Gandhi in the Waterfall temple compound with traditional “Nadhaswaram” accompanying the “Atta Kavadi”. A late night dinner is served in the Dewan Mahatma Gandhi after the arrival of the “Atta Kavadi” . In the early years the arrival of the “Atta Kavadi” signifies the conclusion of the annual Thaipusam festival celebration for the day and devotees are not expected to carry any kavadi after the “Atta kavadi reaches the Waterfall temple compound. The Penang Nattukottai Chettiar community hold prayers in this temple prior to the Thaipusam festival. This function is called the ‘Kuthirai Vahanam’ (Horse Car) held on in the Tamil month of Markazhi (December/January). The prayers would start 10 days earlier where there would be ubayams on these days. On the tenth day, the decorated panchaloka deity of the Mahamariamman which carries a ‘Vel’ would be placed on the Horse Car. The procession begins from Queen Street at the evening, displaying the ‘Vel’ passing through various streets and roads and end up at Queen Street Sri Mahamariamman temple around mid-night.
4.Maha Sivarathri
The Maha Shivaratri is dedicated to the Lord Visveswarar where the devotees would observe the prayers, all day fasting and an all night long vigil. Celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the Tamil month of Maasi (February/March) that is, the night before and day of the new moon. Abishegam (ceremonial bath) is conducted at 10 pm, 12 midnight, 2 am and 4 am respectively. Pujas would commence at 11 pm, 1 am, 3 am and 5 am respectively. Throughout the night devotes would chant and hyms of the devotional songs.
5.Pournami
Monthly full moon of every month is observed where prayers are done for Lord Visvanathar. Special abishegam, prayers and puja would be conducted at 12 pm followed by vegetarian lunch that would be served.
6.Durga Puja
Weekly Rahu kala puja is conducted on every Tuesdays between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm for Vishnu Dhurga amman. Abishekam (ceremonial bath) is conducted by the temple priest for the goddess. Devotees which mainly consists of ladies, would sing hymns and chant praise of the goddess. The goddess would be decorated with flowers and mainly with garlands of limes. Lighting lamps made of limes is a major ritual in this prayers.
On this special days, devotees will be vegetarians for the day. Young ladies wanting to marry will come to offer prayers asking from the “mother” for a good husband. Married ladies will pray for a successful marriage.
7.Aadi Puja
The Tamil month of Aadi (July/August) is considered an auspicious one for prayers for Amman. Sangabishegam (conch ceremonial bath) is done in the evenings on every Friday for Mahamariamman and every Tuesday for Vishnu Durga.
Aaadi Pooram is also celebrated. Ladies would carry pots containing turmeric powder diluted with water as an offering for the abishegam of Mahamariamman.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| R. Arasu a/l Ramu | Chairman |
| Saravanan s/o Ramanathen | Vice Chairman |
| Muniandy a/l Rajoo Gopal | Secretary |
| M.Pusppakaran a/l Muniandy | Treasurer |
| Karthikasan a/l Paramanandan | Member |
| Senthilkumaran a/l Moganasundaram | Member |
| Thangarajan a/l Nadarajan | Member |
| Muthu Kumaran a/l Krishnan | Member |
| Moralitharan Shanmugam | Member |
| Jegathiswaran a/l Chanthirasegaran | Member |
| Kartikgeyan a/l Saravanan | Member |
| Shathiga a/p Vetrivell | Member |
| Paarrthebhan a/l Baloo | Member |
| Ravyn a/l Reghuram | Member |
| Vikneswaran a/l Kumarasamy | Member |
| Vasudevan Tamilchalvan | Member |
Location
Jalan Air Terjun 10350 George Town Penang, Malaysia
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Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple
The hilltop temple, with its seven-storey 21.6m-tall gopuram (main tower), has been touted as the largest Lord Murugan temple outside India by its committee chairman. It is expected to receive thousands of visitors from all over the world yearly when completed after almost a decade of construction. Interestingly, the new temple’s features are inspired from the era of the Chola and Pallava kingdoms of India and the crafting work was done by Indian artisans from South India, specially brought in to Penang.
The main gateway is about 21.6m in height which is equivalent to a seven-storey high building. Visitors entering the temple’s 70,000sq ft grounds will be greeted by a majestic 8.23m-tall statue of Lord Shiva at the foot of the hill. An 18-ft high crafted teak wood door will be a special feature at the new Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple in Waterfall Road here. As visitors reach the top by climbing 511 stairs, they are bound to be amazed by the six pillars inside which represent the six main Murugan temples.
The hilltop temple, with its seven-storey 21.6m-tall gopuram (main tower), has been touted as the largest Lord Murugan temple outside India. It is expected to receive thousands of visitors from all over the world yearly when completed after almost a decade of construction. Interestingly, the new temple’s features are inspired from the era of the Chola and Pallava kingdoms of India and the crafting work was done by Indian artisans from South India, specially brought in to Penang.
The main gateway is about 21.6m in height which is equivalent to a seven-storey high building. Visitors entering the temple’s 70,000sq ft grounds will be greeted by a majestic 8.23m-tall statue of Lord Shiva at the foot of the hill. An 18-ft high crafted teak wood door will be a special feature at the new Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple in Waterfall Road here. As visitors reach the top by climbing 511 stairs, they are bound to be amazed by the six pillars inside which represent the six main Murugan temples. Indian workers who ferried water to Georgetown by way of bullock carts. By the early part of 1800 the shrine seemed to have been the focus of Thaipusam celebration, a festival dedicated to Lord Murugan.British records and local newspapers do mention of Hindu devotees celebration the festival. In 1850 with the increase of the local population, the British authorities decided to develop the area into a reservoir. They decided that the waterfall area and the immediate catchment area had to be protected. At the same time they did not want to upset the sentiments of the Hindu population. Therefore, they alienated an eleven acre hillside property(the present site) for the location of a proper temple.This is the present site of the Hill Top Murugan temple at Waterfall Road, which has been New Temple Donation Since the the temple has undergone major renovation every mamangam or 12-years cycle as required by Hindu agamic tenets. The present’s temple as it now stands was built sometime in 1850. The present temple is now too small to accommodate the devotees who throng the temple during festivals. The major annual festivals celebrated at the temple are Thaipusam, Chitra Pournami, Kantha Sasti, Peria Karthigai and Aadi Pournami. Due to the congestion, it is now difficult to perform worship rituals effectively and for devotees to perform their prayers. Moreover the present location of the temple makes it difficult for crowd management as there is no place for devotees to rest.
The Hindu Endowments Boards then seriously considered either extending the present Temple or building a new one. The Board employed consultants to conduct a feasibility study to build a new Temple at the present site. It was at this juncture that consultant found that the present temple is located over an area where several underground springs flow. Their conclusion was for the temple to be relocated to a safer site away from the present location. The Hindu Endowments Board after considering the various reports, agreed with the management committee’s view that a new temple had to be built at a safer site for the following reasons:- * The present temple is too small to accommodate the ever-growing number of devotees, which swells up to 700,000 during the Thaipusam Festival. * That due to natural streams flowing below the present Temple the safety of the present structure is of concern. * The present Temple has only a sanctum sanctorum. it does not have a Mahamandapam(a fore hall) as prescrideb by the agamas. * The present temple having been built sometimes in 1850 has been ravagned by the weather.The temple structure is weakened and leaks have sprung in many areas. Piecemeal repairs have been periodically conducted, but these repairs cannot address the inherent weakness of the structures. The Temple Management Commitee then decided to consult a well-known authority on agamic rules and procedures for the building of the Temple. A delegation went to Tamil Nadu in February 2000. They met His Holiness,Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamiji,and the 69th Pontiff of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.He gave his blessings to delegation members seek the services of world renowned temple architect and Vaastu expert Dr.V.Ganapati Sthapati.
The newly built Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Kovil, situated in the hills of Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang; is the Largest Lord Murugan Temple outside of India. The RM10 million cost temple was built to accommodate the growing numbers of devotees, especially during Thaipusam Celebrations. An architect from India, along with 19 temple builders and artisans, spent four years hand-sculpting the temple’s designs on site. The outcome: a beautifully decorated prayer hall, and an intricate 7-storey main tower, almost identical to ancient temples in South India.
Devotees and visitors need to climb over 500 steps to get to the temple, which makes the temple higher than the one in Batu Caves. Although this may sound like a daunting feat, the breathtaking view on top is worth the effort.
Half way to the top, visitors will arrive at the old Lord Murugan temple, which was built in 1850. This is the former main venue for Thaipusam celebrations (1850-2012).
There are many beautiful sculptures and other smaller temples around the Waterfall Temple compound. There is also a small Koi-pond and a mini aviary with colourful birds and peacocks on top of the hill. This year, the Thaipusam festival will be held mainly at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Kovil Temple for the first time after its completion. On 27 January, Thaipusam day itself, devotees will embark on a pilgrimage from the temple on Lorong Kulit to this new hilltop temple with offerings of milk pots, or while carrying the Vel Kavadis which is considered as the highest form of offering to god. The temple can accommodate up to 800,000 visitors, a number expected for this year’s Thaipusam Festival.
Temple Management Committee
| NAME | POSITION |
| Dato Seri K. Kumarendran | Chairman |
| Kumarathiraviam Kasinathan | Deputy Chairman I |
| Jayaraj a/l Goval | Deputy Chairman II |
| Datin Bharathi Suppiah | Vice Chairman |
| Gribagiri Santhirasegaran | Secretary |
| Thurairaj Nagalingam | Treasurer |
| Dr Uma Sunthari a/p Manickam | Member |
| Dr Somaskandar | Member |
| Saravanan Subramaniam | Member |
| Madhu a/l K. Sreedarakurup | Member |
| Seladorai a/l Raman | Member |
| Meera a/p Krishnar Ragupathy | Member |
| Ganesan a/l Suppiah | Member |
| Muniesvaran a/l Rajamani | Member |
| Thanabal D. Ramasamy | Member |
| Suresh Kumar a/l Thiyagarajah | Member |
| Ganeswaren Jsu a/l Jaganathan | Member |
| Harikumar Katherasen | Member |
| Lengerbalan Nadarajah | Member |
| Muniandy a/p Sinniah | Member |
| Loganathan a/l Shanmugam | Member |
| Wigneswaren Jayamohan | Member |
| Punitharaja Nadaraja | Member |
| Saravanan A/l Dharmalingam | Member |
| Kesavan Notham | Member |
| Karthikeyan A/l Sinnayah | Member |
