TEMPLES

Murugan Temple in Penang

THE Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani new temple building in Jalan Kebun Bunga is set to be a new tourist attraction in Penang when it is completed in June. The temple’s consecration ceremony is scheduled for June 29 2012.The hilltop temple, with its seven-storey 21.6m-tall gopuram (main tower), has been touted as the largest Lord Murugan temple outside India by its committee chairman.It is expected to receive thousands of visitors from all over the world yearly when completed after almost a decade of construction.Interestingly, the new temple’s features are inspired from the era of the Chola and Pallava kingdoms of India and the crafting work was done by Indian artisans from South India, specially brought in to Penang.He said there were more than 500 steps leading from the foothill to the 20,000sq ft temple in penang compared to Batu Cave. The main gateway is about 21.6m in height which is equivalent to a seven-storey high building.Visitors entering the temple’s 70,000sq ft grounds will be greeted by a majestic 8.23m-tall statue of Lord Shiva at the foot of the hill.An 18-ft high crafted teak wood door will be a special feature at the new Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple in Waterfall Road here.Visitors, both devotees and tourists alike, will enjoy walking on the cool granite floor while viewing the 11 different floral designs on the ceiling with that of a peacock facing the “Moolastanam” where the idol of Lord Murugan will be placed, he said.As visitors reach the top by climbing 511 stairs, they are bound to be amazed by the six pillars inside which represent the six main Murugan temples — the Aru Padai Veedu in Tamil Nadu — placed along the way up to the idol of Lord Murugan, he said.Dr V. Ganapati Sthapati, a well-known architect from Tamil Nadu, India, designed the temple, which sits on 70,000 sq ft of land surrounded by trees and hills.The temple is located 30 metres higher than the previous temple, which has been there from 1850.