Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Attraction At Sri Mahamariamman Temple
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.
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.
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.
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
Know Before You Go Sri Mahamariamman Temple
- 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.
- In the year 1873, a wealthy businessman named K. Thamboosamy Pillai founded the magnificent Sri Mahamariamman temple.
- In the beginning, the temple was a simple shrine worshiped privately by the Pillai family only. It was only in the late 1920s that the family decided to make the temple public.
- Currently, the temple is under the authorization of a board of trustees.
- History suggests that the location of the original temple was at Kuala Lumpur railway station, but in 1885, it was shifted to its current location in Chinatown.
- The current Dravidian architectural pattern you see is not the original structure of the temple.
- The original structure was demolished in 1887 and replaced by a structure made of bricks, which was again demolished in favor of the current structure, which was completed in 1968.
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.
What to wear at Sri Mahamariamman Temple?
Keep your clothing options formal, so men should wear long-sleeved shirts while women must wear saree to enter and pray in this temple. Moreover, no visitor is allowed to wear shoes inside the Sri Mahamariamman temple, you need to keep them at the gate with a shopkeeper.
Which God is worshiped in Sri Mahamariamman Temple?
The South-Indian form of Goddess Parvati is known as Sri Mahamariamman, and this form is worshiped in the temple. Goddess Parvati is the protector of Earth from demonic invasions and evil. Along with her, you will also find people worshiping Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan. Moreover, there are a few more statues depicting Hindu mythology, like Ramayan.
What are the timings of Sri Mahamariamman Temple?
The timings of the temple differ on each day, on Monday, the temple opens from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, from Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, the timings are 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. While on Friday, the timings are 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., on Saturday, the timings are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What are the nearest tourist places of Sri Mahamariamman Temple?
- Petaling Street Market
- Sin Sze Ye Temple
- Dayabumi Temple
- National Textile Museum
- National Mosque of Malaysia
- Masjid Jamek of Kuala Lumpur
- Muzium Telekom
- Taman Burung Kuala Lumpur
- Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park
- Royal Malaysia Police Museum
- KL Forest Eco Park
- National Museum of Malaysia
- Alor Night Street Food Market
- Menara Kuala Lumpur
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