The distinctive gopuram tower of the Sri Mahamariamman Temple is one of the major landmarks of Kuala Lumpur city centre. The tower is located above the entrance of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Hindu temple, dating back to 1873, and near to Kuala Lumpur’s China Town and other major attractions such as KL Central Market and and Petaling Walking Market.
Raja Gopuram tower at Sri Mahamariamman TempleVisitors of every faith and nationality are welcome to visit the temple at no charge, all they are required to do is to take off their shoes. There is a kiosk beside the entrance where you can choose to deposit your shoes for a very nominal fee.
About Sri Mahamariamman Temple
The Sri Mahamariamman Temple started out as the private shrine of the Pillai family, and was opened to the public in 1927 and management of the temple was transferred to the Board of Management of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam. The temple’s patron was K. Thamboosamy Pillay who was a high ranking administrator in the colonial government of Malaya and considered the leading Tamil Indian in the Malay Peninsula. Mr Pillay was a very wealthy man with extensive business interest along side his government role and sponsored a wide range of projects, including the establishment of the Hindu temple at the Batu Caves.
Main prayer hall of Sri Mahamariamman TempleThe temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Mariamman, considered by many Hindus (particularly Tamils) to be the protector of Hindus travelling abroad.
Scenes from Hindu stories adorn the templesThe famous tower at the entrance to the building is 22.9 metres tall and was a later addition to the temple completed in 1972. The tower features 228 deities and assorted characters from Hindu mythology and was the work of Indian sculptor S. T. Muniappa from Tamil Nadu state.
Smaller towers have been built on the four corners of the templeThe main prayer hall and wall of the temple have painted with scenes from the great Hindu sagas as with painted statues and reliefs. Statues of Lord Murugan (the Hindu god of war) and his brother Pillaiyar stand on either side of the shrine in the main prayer hall.
Opening Hours at Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Sri Mahamariamman Temple is open:
- Sunday to Thursday: 06:00 – 13:00 & 16:00 – 20:30
- Fridays: 06:00 – 13:30 & 16:00 – 21:30
- Sundays: 06:00 -13:00 & 16:00 – 21:00
Location of Sri Mahamariamman Temple
- The Sri Mahamariamman Temple is located at Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.