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. This was to accommodate the ever increasing Indian community presence on the island. But except for the date, not much else has been said about its founding in that document.īuilt originally as a shrine, it was later that the Indian community found a need for a proper temple ground for worshipping. 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. Caption James Low confirms the existence of a temple in Georgetown in 1835. But, as to how the temple came to be built on this land or who founded it, there is no information. This is confirmed by another grant written in 1831. 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. Not much is known about the early days of the temple or of the persons who founded it.
Like most Indian temples in Penang, the Penang Sri Mahamariamman began as a small and simple shrine. 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.ĭating back as early as 1801, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple is recognised as an elaborate and spiritual place of worship. 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. Each then established communities, and adopted lifestyles similar to their homeland. 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. This tropical island of Penang, lies in the Indian Ocean, just off the north-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The Mahamariamman Temple back entrance in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Pitt Street). 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. Prayers are usually conducted by the temple priests in these times and visitors may observe these prayer sessions taking place. Daily there will be Pujas (prayers), mornings 7.30 am and evening 6.30 pm. The temples closes after the prayers are performed at 12 pm and 9 pm respectively. Temple opens starts from morning 6 am till 12 pm and evening from 5 pm till 9 pm. Visitation to this temple is limited to morning and evening. Located in Penang’s Little India, in the capital city of Georgetown, the Sri Maha Mariamman temple reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage.
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. Lebuh Queen, George Town 10200 Penang Penang Malaysia.Ħ.30 am – 12.00 noon and 4.30 pm – 9.00 pm. It has stood at the same place for more than 200 years. It became a place of worship as early as 1801 and became a temple on 1833. The temple is open daily from 6.30 am – 12.00 noon and 4.30 pm – 9.00 pm. All these names refer to the same 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. It is also known as Mariamman Temple or Queen Street Indian Temple. It is located at Lebuh Queen (Queen Street). 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.
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