GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA, June 14, 2019 (Free Malaysia Today): The only Hindu temple on Penang Hill here is set to become a grand tourist attraction after undergoing major restoration work as part of its 12-year consecration ceremony culminating today. The 150-year old Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan temple has been painted a myriad of colors in a unique “mambalabaram” style, the first such attempt outside of India. Over 132 gallons of paint were used to get more than 20 different shades of color, its chief artisan GK Udhaya Shankar Sthabathi said. He said US$48,000 and three years were spent to complete the painting and structural repairs with the help of 31 artisans from India.
The temple is 2,460 feet above sea level, overlooking Penang Hill’s northern jungles and the Melaka Strait. The temple began as a small shrine in the 1870s, when Europeans were borne to the top of the hill in sedan chairs by Indian carriers. A proper temple was built in the 1970s as a place of worship for the Indians, who were easily the largest community at the hill resort. They were mostly the helpers of affluent residents staying in posh bungalows. Temple chief Arunasalam “Raja” Marimuthu said today’s consecration will be attended by dozens of yogis from India and around the world. He said water collected from the sacred rivers of Kailash and Kasi will be used in the consecration ceremony.