The Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Queen Street, George Town, is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang. It is dedicated to the Hindu deity Sri Muthu Mariamman, who has a following among the Indians of South India. The temple has its back facing Pitt Street (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling). Scholars believe the name Mariamman comes from two words, mari meaning power, and amman meaning mother. Sri Muthu Mariamman is considered a motherly power figure, a goddess of mercy and patron deity of the peasants of southern India.
Like many other Hindu temples in Penang, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple began as a small and simple shrine. According to records, the land on which the Mahamariamman Temple stood was granted in 1801 by the British to one person by the name of Betty Lingam Chetty, who in all likelihood was the Kapitan (headman or community leader) of the Tamils and South Indians. 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. The Sri Mahamariamman Temple has a 23 feet tall sculptured tower, or gopuram, on which are 38 statues of Hindu deities.
During the nine-day Navarithri festival, Sri Mahamariamman Temple holds a procession where the deity Mariamman is paraded in a decorated wooden chariot. The procession negotiates the tight streets of Little India.
Getting there
You can walk from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal to the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Cross Pengkalan Weld using the pedestrian bridge then turn left. Walk along Pengkalan Weld until the junction of Gat Lebuh Chulia. Turn right. Walk all the way, passing the junctions of Lebuh Victoria, Lebuh Pantai, Lebuh Penang and Lebuh King. At Lebuh Queen, turn right, and you will arrive at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, which is on your left. Admission is free, but remember to remove your shoes. Be decently attired. Photography is allowed except for the central sanctum where no photography is allowed.
What to see and do
Admire the South Indian temple architecture, with its gopuram (towers) at the gate. Walk around the temple compound and get to know the different deities inside. Ask questions to the priests if they are not busy, and they will most likely entertain you.
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