Morning Bliss at Maha Mariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur

The Sri Mahamariamman Temple, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, holds the distinction of being the oldest Hindu temple in the city. Dedicated to the Goddess Mariamman, a prominent deity in South Indian Hinduism. Goddess Mariamman is often revered as a manifestation of both Parvati and Durga. Alongside Goddess Mariamman, the temple also houses idols of Pillayar, Murugan, Durga, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Hanuman, and Navagragam.

Gods and Goddesses

The temple’s stunning gopuram, completed in 1972, stands as a testament to its architectural beauty. The temple was consecrated in 1973 and continues to be a place of spiritual significance. The temple attracts a significant number of Hindu Tamil devotees from Malaysia and various parts of the world. This temple also attracts non-Hindu visitors who come to admire the vibrant statues, architectural beauty, and the grandeur of the gopuram. Located just a few minutes’ walk away from the Pasar Sani LRT station, the temple’s accessibility makes it convenient for visitors.

Information About This Temple

During my visit to the Batu Caves Murugan Temple in 2016, I discovered the nearby Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and since then, I have made it a yearly tradition to visit both temples during my trips to Kuala Lumpur.After a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, I was overjoyed to revisit both temples in 2022. In this post, I would like to share my memorable morning trip to the Mariamman temple, braving the rain, and the captivating pictures captured during my visit.

Tips to visit Mariamman Temple Fram KL Sentral Hotel

During this visit in December 2022, I stayed at Nu Hotel, situated in a pleasant neighborhood with numerous restaurants. The hotel is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from KL Sentral train station. To witness the morning abhishekam (ritual bath) and aarti (devotional ceremony) at the temple, I left my hotel around 5:45 am. It’s important to note that the main entrance to the mall is not open early in the morning. However, a helpful staff member at the monorail counter directed me to a side door that led me into the mall. I proceeded through the quiet mall to reach the train station.

Early Morning to LRT Station

I purchased a LRT ticket to Pasar Sani at the vending machine. The machine provides instructions in English and is user-friendly, as long as you know the name of the destination. It’s worth mentioning that only Malaysian Ringgit is accepted, and credit cards are not an option. Pasar Sani station is the next stop from KL Sentral, and the train ticket cost me only 1.30 Ringgit. The signs at the station were in English and easy to follow. After purchasing my ticket, I proceeded to the platform and boarded the train. Since it was early morning, there were only a few passengers, and I noticed the train was impeccably clean.

LRT Train: From KL Sentral to Pasar Sani

Upon reaching Pasar Sani station, I found myself faced with multiple exit signs, which initially caused some confusion. I unintentionally chose the wrong exit at first but eventually corrected my course, relying on my vague memory from previous visits. The correct exit led me to a small bus station, adjacent to which were some tea shops. I approached one of the tea shops (Vinny Jeyaa) and inquired about directions to the temple. They informed me that it was less than a 10-minute walk away. I proceeded straight along the street and then turned right onto the main road next to Lavanya Hotel, where the temple soon came into view on the right side.

Direction to Mariamman Temple From LRT Station

Temple Regulations

1. Inside the temple premises, it is strictly prohibited to wear footwear. A shoe stand is provided where visitors can safely store their shoes during their visit.
2. Photography is permitted within the temple, allowing visitors to capture the beautiful moments and sacred surroundings.
3. Devotees are not allowed to enter the sanctum. Only priests/poojaris can enter the sanctum
4. Devotees can bring flowers, garlands, and fruits to offer to gods and goddesses

I arrived just in time to witness the first abhishekam (ritual bath) performed for Pillayar (Ganesha). I observed all the intricate rituals of the abhishekam with great fascination. After the completion of the abhishekam, I patiently waited as the gods and goddesses were adorned with garlands and jewels behind the screen. Following the regular rituals, the screen was finally removed, and arathi (devotional offering of light) was performed for all the deities. It was an incredibly joyous experience for me to witness both the abhishekam and the arathi offered to all the gods and goddesses. The entire process lasted for approximately one and a half hours.

Abhishekam & Arathi to Goddess Mariamman

More Pictures

After the rituals, I found a quiet spot to sit and meditate for a few minutes, expressing my gratitude to all the gods for the opportunity to visit the temple and receive their divine darshan (blessings). Once I finished my meditation, I took a few pictures to capture the essence of the experience for my blog. Before leaving, I expressed my gratitude to the priests for their dedicated service and bid them farewell. With a sense of contentment, I made my way back to the train station.

LRT Train: From Pasar Sani to KL Sentral

The trip was truly enjoyable, despite the pouring rain and cloudy weather that hindered my view of the vibrant sculptures on the gopuram. Unfortunately, I couldn’t capture the full splendor of the temple’s colorful artwork in my current pictures. However, I look forward to replacing them with better photographs during my next visit in 2023.

Useful Blogs & YouTube videos

1. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Kuala Lumpur
2. Malaysia Life: Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur
3. klia2.info: Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest functioning Hindu temple in Malaysia
4. Traveling Deficit Disorder: 🇲🇾 Visiting The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
5. Theepan Kent: Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Oldest Hindu Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
6. To Northern Star: Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Malaysia | Oldest hindu temple in Malaysia