Sri Mahamariamman Temple, KL
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sri Mariamman Temple (Tamil : ஸ்ரீ மாரியம்மன் கோவில) is also the name of a large Hindu temple in Medan, Indonesia, and of many temples in Malaysia and Tamil Nadu, India.
| English | Sri Mahamariamman Temple |
| Chinese | 马里安曼兴都庙 |
| (Pinyin | {{{pinyin}}}) |
| Malay | Kuil Sri Mahamariamman |
| Tamil | ஸ்ரீ மாரியம்மன் கோவில் |
Founded in 1873, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur. It is situated at edge of Chinatown in Jalan Bandar (formerly High Street). In 1968, a new structure was built, featuring the ornate 'Raja Gopuram' tower in the style of South Indian temples.
From its inception, the temple provided an important place of worship for early Indian immigrants and is now an important cultural and national heritage.
[edit] Architecture
Built in the south Indian Dravidian style, the temple most outstanding feature is the impressive gopuram (tower). Rising above the entrance, it features Hindu deities, soldiers and floral decorations.
Within the temple is a main prayer hall with richly decorated ceilings. The location of three shrines in the main temple is marked by an ornately embellished onion dome which can be seen from outside. There is also four smaller shrines located peripherally around the main temple building
[edit] Occasions
The temple is particularly packed on Deepavali with devotees eager to offer their prayers on the holy day.
Also on the holy day of Thaipusam, thousands of devotees throng the temple at the wee hours of the morning to start a long procession leading up to Batu Caves as a religious undertaking to Lord Muruga. They carry containers containing milk as offering to Lord Muruga either by hand or in huge decorated carriers on their shoulders called 'kavadi'.
[edit] Today
Once every 12 years, in keeping with Hindu tradition, the temple is reconsecrated.
Recently, the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam has after a 40 year old wait, finally got its own building.
The RM 13 million six storey building, located behind the temple in Jalan Tun H.S Lee was officially opened by Works Minister and MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
Temple chairman R. Nadarajah said the idea to construct the building was mooted by Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu 38 years ago when he was a committee member of the temple.
Known as Bangunan Mariamman, the building is situated beside the Klang Bus Station and opposite the Putra LRT station. The building which is connected to the temple, has two floors of basement car parks, three floors for two auditoriums and a hall.
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