Located in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple is a peaceful, contemplative space with wonderful Hindu art.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia. It’s situated on the edge of Chinatown diagonally across the street from the Guan Di Temple. To get there take the hop-on-hop-off bus or the GOKL free bus purple line (Pasar Seni stop).

This was my first visit to a functioning Hindu temple so I really had no idea what to expect. Signs at the entrance clearly indicate you should remove your shoes before entering. But, there is no place to put your shoes at the entrance. We found the shoe depository on the outside of the temple to the left of the entrance.

After you walk through the gate, you enter an open courtyard with a large pavilion in the center (the main prayer hall). A shrine to Sri Maha Mahamariamman sits in the middle flanked on either side by two additional shrines. Metal railings on either side of the entrance to the shrines create a walkway for priests. While we were there, devotees lined the sides of the railings and the priest anointed them while saying prayers.

Beautiful artwork adorns the outer walls of the courtyard and the outside of the central pavilion. You can also find statues on the roof in the inner part of the temple.

The atmosphere inside was very peaceful. Priests arranged some offerings off to the left of the pavillion and worshipers lit lamps and left flowers at shrines around the temple. After the services, some of the priests sat on the pavilion steps and joked with each other.

gail