Sri Mahamariamman Temple

One of the oldest Hindu temples in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sri Mahamariamman Temple is a shrine to Goddess Parvati in her South-Indian form. She is considered the protector of Earth from evil and demonic possession. Located in Chinatown, the temple is magnificently crafted in a Dravidian structure with the Raja Gopuram Tower at the entrance. Cultural and national heritage in Kuala Lumpur, the temple was opened to the general public in the year 1920.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the holiest place of worship for Tamils, who worship Goddess Parvati as their protector. The temple also has shrines for Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikey, Lord Muruga, and Goddess Lakshmi. During the festivals of Thaipusam and Diwali, there is a massive crowd in the temple to worship Mother Mari and offer milk to God Muruga. The current Dravidian architecture standing today was completed in 1969 and used Spanish and Italian tiles along with gold motifs, and precious temples for the unique look that makes the temple so popular. Visiting the temple is a must for all devotees and lovers of great architecture. Also, it has many attractions nearby, like the National Museum of Malaysia, letting you cover a few major tourist attractions in a day.

Attraction At Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Gopuram
Gopuram

The spectacular Sri Mahamariamman temple features a 5-tiered gopuram, a must for all South Indian temples. At 75 feet, it is the tallest structure in the temple, the pyramid-like structure depicts beautiful tales of Hindu gods in the form of 228 idols, designed by S.T. Muniaapa. The Gopuram, which is located at the main entrance, guards and leads the way to the temple.

Main Prayer Hall
Main Prayer Hall

Sri Mahamariamman Temple has a unique structure in the form of a human body that is lying on its back. The head of the body faces west, while the feet face east, blending with the Gopuram. Within the temple, there is the main prayer hall with uniquely decorated ceilings. The prayer hall's ceilings depict stories from Hindu mythology, and it is here that the priest chants mantras and performs pooja.

Silver Chariot
Silver Chariot

The silver chariot within the temple premises is a prominent feature during the annual festival of Thaipusam. The silver chariot comes out during this time to transport the statue of Lord Muruga along with his consorts through the city to Batu Caves. The silver chariot has 240 bells, and a pair of horses, and is 6.5 meters tall. It was designed in India and assembled here.

Bangunan Mariamman
Bangunan Mariamman

After 40 years, Sri Mahamariamman Temple has its own building displaying its fine statues, sculptures, and designs proudly inside Bangunan Mariamman. The building is connected to the temple with two floors for car parking in the basement, a hall, and two auditorium floors.

Highlights For Sri Mahamariamman Temple

  • Sri Mahamariamman Temple has a unique architecture and uses Spanish and Italian tiles. Moreover, it has a gold motif and stones, making it special.
  • Designed in India and assembled here, the silver chariot has 240 bells and two horses, and measures 6.5 meters high.
  • Visit the gopuram here is 77 feet tall and guards the entry to the temple.
  • A special thing about the temple is its structure, which represents a human form lying on its back with the foot being the entrance to the popular Gopuram.
  • Take a walk through the main prayer hall, where lies the holy statue of Sri Maha Mariammman and offer your prayers to the hindu gods.

Know Before You Go Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Essential Information
History
Essential Information

- Location: Alan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

- Timings:6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Tuesday-Thursday; Sunday)6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday)6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday)6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Friday)

- How to reach:- By metro: Exit at the Pasar Seni LRT metro station and walk just 50 meters along Jalan Sultan. Then, turn left into Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, and you will come across Sri Mahamariamman 50 meters to your left.

  • By Taxi: A cab driver will leave you right in front of the temple, as it's quite famous.

  • By Bus: From anywhere, you can take a bus to the nearby stop to visit the temple.

- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Sri Mahamariamman Temple is in the early morning hours. That allows you to worship the deities and explore the temple with fewer people around.

FAQs For Sri Mahamariamman Temple

What is special about Sri Mahamariamman Temple?

    Sri Mahamariamman is the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, where the main shrine is dedicated to Sri Mahamariamman, or Mother Mari, the South-Indian form of Goddess Parvati. The most unique aspect of this temple is its structure, which resembles a human body, with a 75-foot-high Gopuram depicting the feet and standing five-tier high.

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