Entrance tower
Dozens of painted figures.
Sin-siōng — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hajotthu — CC BY 3.0 · Guwashi999 from Tokyo, Japan — CC BY 2.0 · Gryffindor — CC BY 2.5 · Visnu92 — CC0
The oldest Hindu temple in the state of Penang, at the heart of George Town's Little India. It began as a place of worship in the early nineteenth century, was built as a temple in 1833 and has stood on the same spot for more than two centuries. Its highlight is the colourful stepped tower over the entrance, covered with dozens of small, brightly painted figures of Hindu deities in the South Indian style. Every year the city's great Thaipusam procession sets out from the temple. It opens in the morning until midday and again in the evening; prayers are held morning and evening and visitors may watch quietly. Entry is free, shoes come off at the door and clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected. It lies between Lebuh Queen and the Street of Harmony, so carry on into Little India's lanes of spice and fabric shops and its restaurants known for Indian Muslim food, and to the nearby Kapitan Keling Mosque.
Dozens of painted figures.
Sets out from here each year.
Spices, fabrics and restaurants.
Lebuh Queen, George Town's Little India
Kapitan Keling MosqueFounded by Muslim traders from South India in the early nineteenth century, a fe2 minutes walk4.7
Goddess of Mercy TemplePenang's oldest Chinese temple, built in 1800 and known locally as Kuan Yin Teng2 minutes walk
Little India, George TownA lively quarter in the heart of George Town, fragrant with spices and incense a3 minutes walk
St George's ChurchThe oldest purpose-built Anglican church in Southeast Asia, built between 1817 a4 minutes walk
Armenian StreetA narrow street and one of George Town's best known, at the heart of the area on4 minutes walkIn the morning until about midday and again from late afternoon into the evening, closed in between, so plan your visit for one of those windows.