Deity sculptures on wall of Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images


Rising almost 23m above this lively Hindu temple is its gopuram, a tower decorated with colourful Hindu gods. Founded in 1873, making it one of the oldest such temples in Malaysia, it is decorated in South Indian style and named after Mariamman, the South Indian mother goddess (also known as Parvati). Her shrine is at the back of the complex. On the left sits a shrine to the elephant-headed deity Ganesh, and on the right one to Lord Murugan.

There's a steady stream of visitors here but outside of major festivals, such as Thaipusam when Lord Murugan is transported from the temple to Batu Caves on a silver chariot, Sri Mahamariamman is usually a relatively peaceful place.

Transportation

  • LRT: Pasar Seni

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Guandi Temple

0.05 MILES

Founded in 1886, this atmospheric temple offers photogenic high ceilings, red walls, tiled eaves and pointy gable ends. It's dedicated to Guandi, a…

2. Chinatown Wet Market

0.06 MILES

If you want your chicken freshly plucked, this is where to get it. The market is squished in darkened alleys between Jln Petaling and Jln Tun HS Lee and…

3. Lee Rubber Building

0.06 MILES

This 1930s art deco building designed by British architect Arthur Oakley Coltman was once the tallest building in KL.

4. Lostgens'

0.1 MILES

A variety of solo and group artist exhibitions are held at this contemporary arts space, including intriguing installations and video work. Check its…

5. Raw Art Space

0.11 MILES

Check the Facebook page of this edgy graphic arts space for details of art shows and gigs by local and visiting musicians and performance artists, many of…

6. Pasar Karat Murals

0.12 MILES

Students from Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan College (KLMCU) have contributed a variety of fun murals along the alley known as Pasar Karat, where a flea market…

7. Goldsmith Mural

0.13 MILES

This impressive mural covering the end of a terrace on Jln Panggong is the first work in KL by Russian street artist Julia Volchkova, whose street art can…

8. REXKL

0.13 MILES

Occupying the old Rex Cinema building, this community-based cultural and creative centre is the brainchild of a group of young cultural entrepreneurs. It…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "malaysia/kuala-lumpur/chinatown-merdeka-square-bukit-nanas/attractions/sri-mahamariamman-temple/a/poi-sig/1151983/1336394",
      "position": "superzone"
    }