Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, Penang
Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple | |
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Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple | |
Name | |
Tamil | Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple |
Geography | |
Coordinates | 5°27′54.46″N 100°17′12.20″E / 5.4651278°N 100.2867222°ECoordinates: 5°27′54.46″N 100°17′12.20″E / 5.4651278°N 100.2867222°E |
Country | Malaysia |
State | Penang |
Location | George Town |
Culture | |
Primary deity | [Murugan]] |
History and governance | |
Date built | 1854 |
Creator | Unknown |
The Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple is a temple of the Chettiar community in Penang, Malaysia. Its full name is Nattukkottai Chettiar Thendayuthapani Temple, also called the Arulmigu Thandayuthapani Temple. It is originally located on Waterfall Road (Jalan Air Terjun, today at its rear), though today the road in front of it is Jalan Kebun Bunga. It was founded around 1854, after the Chettiar community in Penang Street bought the piece of land to build the temple.
Background
The word Nattukkottai is a compound noun of two words, "nattu" and "kottai", meaning "country forts". This refers to the Chettiar's acumen in amassing wealth and keeping it. Being astute businessmen and moneylenders, the chettiar build temples that are hallmarks of quality, and are usually well managed as well as financially secure. Within the chettiar quarters is the temple of Thendayuthapani, an incarnation of the deity Murugan. This temple was consecrated in 1857. It was build in the chokkatan or chequered design.
Festivals
During Thaipusam, male chettiar carry a peacock feather yoke accompanying the silver chariot. They retreat to the temple for three days before accompanying the chariot back to town.
See also
References
External links
- Chettiars' celebrating Thaipusam in Penang
- Yahoo Travel Review
- Thaipusam celebration in Penang
- Video of Thaipusam celebration in Penang
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