Thaipusam 2013 at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple - The Largest Lord Murugan Temple outside of India

Date: 26^th, 27^th and 28^th January 2013

The newly built  Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Kovil, situated in the hills of Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang; is the Largest Lord Murugan Temple outside of India. The RM10 million temple was built to accommodate the growing numbers of devotees, especially during Thaipusam Celebrations.

An architect from India, along with 19 temple builders and artisans, spent four years hand-sculpting the temple's designs on site. The outcome: a beautifully decorated prayer hall, and an intricate 7-storey main tower, almost identical to ancient temples in South India.

Devotees and visitors need to climb over 500 steps to get to the temple, which makes the temple higher than the one in Batu Caves. Although this may sound like a daunting feat, the breathtaking view on top is worth the effort.

Half way to the top, visitors will arrive at the old Lord Murugan temple, which was built in 1850. This is the former main venue for Thaipusam celebrations (1850-2012)

There are many beautiful sculptures and other smaller temples around the Waterfall Temple compound.  There is also a small Koi-pond and a mini aviary with colourful birds and peacocks on top of the hill.

This year, the Thaipusam festival will be held mainly at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Kovil Temple for the first time after its completion. On 27 January, Thaipusam day itself, devotees will embark on a pilgrimage from the temple on Lorong Kulit to this new hilltop temple with offerings of milk pots, or while carrying the Vel Kavadis which is considered as the highest form of offering to god. The temple can accommodate up to 800,000 visitors, a number expected for this year's Thaipusam Festival.

On the 27^th January 2013, Chief Minister of Penang, Mr Lim Guan Eng will be paying a visit to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple from 5.00 onwards for a special “Vinayagar Thuthi “ prayers with the temple committee and community leaders.

Subsequently, the Chief Minister will also be visiting the nearby Nattukotai Chettiar’s Sri Thandayuthapani Temple.

For more information on Thaipusam celebrations and the temple, please call the Penang Hindu Endowment Board at 04-650 5215 or our the Penang Tourism Hotline 016-4110000.