A doorway of colour at the edge of KL’s downtown
On Jalan Tun H.S. Lee—just a few steps from the bustle of Petaling Street—the five-tiered gopuram of Sri Mahamariamman Temple rises like a storybook carved in stone. Incense drifts out to the sidewalk; bells mark the start of prayers; and during Thaipusam, a gleaming silver chariot departs from here on an all-night journey to Batu Caves. It’s one of KL’s most atmospheric places to slow down and witness living tradition.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1873 by K. Thamboosamy Pillai (KL’s oldest Hindu temple)
- Where: Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, on the edge of KL’s downtown (near Petaling Street)
- Style: South Indian style with a towering, ornamented gopuram (gateway tower)
A brief history
Established in 1873 as a private family shrine, the temple opened to the public in the late 1920s. It moved to its current site along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in 1885. The present building dates to 1968; its signature gateway tower was completed in 1972 and the new complex consecrated in 1973.
Architecture to look for
The temple’s drama centers on its five-tiered gopuram, studded with brightly painted deities and mythic scenes in classic Dravidian style. Many guides note around 228 deity figures on the tower—an astonishing level of detail you can admire even from the street.
Living culture: Thaipusam & the Silver Chariot
Each year for Thaipusam, the temple’s silver chariot carries the statues of Lord Murugan and his consorts from downtown KL to Batu Caves—a procession followed by devotees through the night. The chariot tradition from this temple is a defining part of the city’s festival calendar, and authorities announce road closures along the route annually. (If you plan to witness it, check the latest timings and traffic advisories.)
Nearby to pair with your visit (walkable)
- Petaling Street (street food & heritage shophouses)
- Central Market (crafts, souvenirs)
- River of Life promenade (evening blue-hue lighting)
