ONE of inner George Town’s Unesco-listed heritage landmark, the Arulmigu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, unveiled a new colourful structure for its fifth Maha Kumbabishegam (consecration ceremony).
Chants of ‘Om Shakti!’ resounded along Queen Street when the chief priest performed the abishegam (pouring of holy water) at the temple’s goburam (main dome) at 10am on Sunday.
Thousands of devotees thronged the temple, also known as Queen Street Mariamman Temple, and eagerly waited for holy water to be sprinkled on them.
The main deity of the 183-year-old temple is Maha Mariamman, who is revered as Mother of the Universe by Hindu devotees.
Temple committee chairman Datuk N. Vasantharajan said besides the main deity, the temple has 11 other deities as well.
“We also have 18 Shakti avatars adorning the walls of the temple.
“Being a part of the ‘Street of Harmony’, 30 resized concrete pillars were redesigned to reflect the heritage status of the temple,” he said, adding that the refurbishment work started two years ago at a cost of RM1.5mil.
He added that the wooden framework on the century-old ceiling known as ‘Raasi Katam’ (the nine planets carved on the wood) was also restored.
The Maha Kumbabishegam was also witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer, Bagan Dalam assemblyman A. Tanasekharan along withtemple committee officials.
The devotees were later served vegetarian lunch outside the temple compound after theceremony.
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