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Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Thamboosamy Pillai originally constructed this building as a private Hindu temple. It remained in the hands of the family until the late 1920s. The old structure was replaced with a new Temple that was consecrated in 1973.

This Temple resembles the form of a human body lying on its back with the head positioned towards the west and the feet towards the east. The gopuram (tower), the tallest structure in the Temple, corresponds to the feet of the body and is the threshold between the material and spiritual world. The dramatic 22.9m (75ft) high pyramid-shaped gate tower is decorated with depictions of Hindu gods sculpted by artisans from southern India.

At the rear is the garbagraham, which corresponds to the head. It is a freestanding structure with its own roof and walls and has one entrance that faces east. This is the inner sanctum where the chief deity Sri Maha Mariamman is installed. The priest stands in front of the garbagraham when performing the puja (prayers).

Ganesh is in the shrine on the left and Subramaniam, his brother, is on the right. Ganesh is also found at the entrance as he is the remover of obstacles. The eight female figures inside the Temple are of Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth).

During the Thaipusam festival, Subramaniam's silver chariot is paraded from this Temple to his shrine in Batu Caves