Sri Mariamman Temple, Penang
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- For other temples with the same name, see Sri Mariamman Temple (Tamil : ஸ்ரீ மாரியம்மன் கோவில).
| Sri Mariamman Temple, Penang | |
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| Name: | Sri Mariamman Temple, Penang |
| Creator: | Unknown |
| Date built: | 1883 |
| Primary deity: | Mariamman |
| Architecture: | Dravidian architecture |
| Location: | Penang, Malaysia |
| English | Sri Mariamman Temple |
| Chinese | 马里安曼兴都庙 |
| (Pinyin | Mǎ lǐ Àn Màn xīng dū miào) |
| Malay | Kuil Sri Mariamman |
| Tamil | ஸ்ரீ மாரியம்மன் கோவில் |
Built in 1883, this is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, Malaysia, which features fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and facade.
From its inception, the temple provided an important place of worship for early Indian immigrants and is now an important cultural and national heritage.
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[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.
Housed within its ornately decorated interior is the priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam embellished with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. The statue figures prominently in the annual Thaipusam festival when it is borne on a silver chariot though the city streets to the temple.
Once every 12 years, in keeping with Hindu tradition, the temple is reconsecrated.
[edit] The Deity
Mariamman is popularly worshipped by overseas Indians, especially Tamils because she is looked upon as their protector during their sojourn to foreign lands. Mariamman is a manifestation of the goddess - Parvati, an incarnation embodying Mother Earth with all her terrifying force. She is associated with disease and fever and protects her devotees from unholy or demonic events.
[edit] Festivals
The temple is particularly packed on Deepavali and Thaipusam with thousands of devotees eager to offer their prayers on the holy days.
[edit] See also
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