Location:
Jalan Bandar Built In: 1968
Significance: It is the oldest and richest temple in Kuala Lumpur.
How To Reach: One can easily reach here by hiring taxis, or by boarding trains, buses from the city.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple is acclaimed to be the oldest and richest Hindu temple in the capital city of Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur. Since its foundation, the temple endowed with an important place of worship to the early Indian immigrants. Located on the rim of Chinatown along Jalan Bandar, its present structure was built in 1968. Today, its flamboyant 'Raja Gopuram' tower, which is built in typical South Indian temple architecture, dominates the skyline of the region.
This highly-revered temple was founded by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, in 1873. At the outset, it was used as a private shrine by the Pillai family. Earlier, the temple was sited somewhere around the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Later, in 1885, it was shifted to its present location along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee. In the late 1920s, the temple was made open to the public and its management was handed over to a board of trustees. Its initial structure was knocked down in 1887 to construct a brick building in its place.
Once again the building was demolished to erect the present temple building, in 1968. Though the gateway to the temple was completed in 1972, the newly-built temple was consecrated in 1973. Talking about the temple's architecture, its 5-tiered gopuram (tower) is the most stupendous feature. Its impressive 22.9m (75ft) high pyramid-shaped gate tower is adorned with depictions of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The main sculptor who is known to have created 228 idols on the gopuram is Late S.T. Muniappa.
The entire structure of the temple looks like the shape of a human body lying on its back with the head towards the west and the feet towards the east. The gopuram symbolizes the feet of the body, further symptomatic of the threshold between the material and the spiritual world. At the back is the garba graham (sanctum sanctorum) that symbolizes the head. This freestanding structure has its own roof and walls, along with just one entrance that faces the east. The main deity Sri Maha Mariamman is installed in the inner sanctum.
Goddess
Mariamman is believed to be the manifestation of Goddess Parvati. She is
worshipped by overseas Indians, especially Tamils, as she is regarded as
their protector during their stay in foreign lands. The main prayer hall
is festooned with murals and frescoes. The three shrines within the
temple are roofed by an ornately embellished dome. Around the main
sanctum, there are four smaller shrines embracing Lord Ganesha and Lord
Muruga. In accordance with Hindu tradition, the temple is reconsecrated
once in every 12 years. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple consists of one silver chariot, which is known to be the tallest chariot in Malaysia. It is brought out from the temple only once in a year, during festivities of Thaipusam. On Deepavali, the temple gets innumerable devotees who come to pay homage from far and near. In fact, on Thaipusam, countless devotes throng the temple early in the morning to take part in the long procession leading up to Batu Caves. Concisely, Sri Mahamariamman Temple is a nice place to visit and to receive the blessings of the goddess.