Thursday, May 21, 2009

Penang Hill - Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan



Name : Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple, or better known as the Penang Hill Hindu Temple.

Location : Until the hill train is in operation again, the only two ways to reach Bellevue Hotel is by either jeep or by hiking. Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan is located at Gun Hill, a small hillock in Penang Hill, Malaysia.

Description : This is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang. It started off in the 1800's as a small shrine to the Hindu deity Murugan - the deity associated with Thaipusam - by the Indian sepoys and sedan chair carriers, and is located at a mount within Penang Hill called Gun Hill. A trident, or Murugan Vel, was installed there by the devotees. Over the years, it was enlarged and rebuilt. The present-day incarnation of the Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan is a very ornate Hindu temple in the Dravidian architectural style of South India.

The Dravidian style of constructing Hindu temples calls for four principal parts. The temple proper, or vimana, is the shrine with a tower, a mandapa, or porch, gopurams, or gate towers, and chawadis, or pillar halls. In addition, there would usually be a tank of water for use in sacred rituals or for cleansing.

The sculptures on the gopuram and vimana are exquisitely ornate and colorful. Photography enthusiasts should enjoy capturing every small detail of the temple. From the location of this temple, one can get good views of the surroundings.

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