Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, Penang — Attraction in George Town

Lovely peaceful kovil. Started visiting since ever got transfered job to Penang island. Wishes fullfilled n prayers answered.

But, disappointed with the service I received from kovil pandarams.

Issues experienced:-

On 09.6.2025 evening around 6pm, I went to kovil to pass 4 Vestis and one big bottle of panneer for next day morning abhishegam. I gave it to the young pandaram. I even asked him whats the procedure as a devotee to bring for Swamy for arcanai. He said fruits will be fine and get a arcanai sheets before serve. He aslo told the main pandaram in front me, about the Vestis and panneer that I gave for the abhisegam . After I confirmed everything with the young pandaram, he said dont worry they will prepare nicely, then I left.

On 10.6.2025 morning around 7.30am, I brought fruits to serve Swamy and 2 arcanai sheets. I am shocked to found out that 4 Vestis that I gave still inside the bag plastic and panneer bottle is unopened. I asked the young pandaram, "why my 4 Vestis are still inside bag and panneer bottle is kept on the table. Why what happenned?" I also told the young pandaram, " I brought it yesterday and told you all these for morning abhishegam and you said Ok". The young pandaram said, he already told the main pandaram but maybe he forgot." I was very very very sad. After that, I went to do arcanai, I gave my fruits plate to pandaram to serve Swamy, he didnt hold properly...an apple fell down. All devotees were watching the incident. Such a shame to have such kovil pandarams with Lack of Focus! Very Disappointing. I have told my this dissatisfaction to the kovil bell man who sit at the table serving arcanai sheets.

I am a Murugan devotee, who often visit this kovil , felt very sad on the day. I couldnt focus on my work the whole day because of this disappointment. My day spoiled. I believe Pandarams or Gurukals are middle person between devotees and Swamy, who should help serve what devotees gives.

I would appreciate if kovil commitee members hire a real Gurukals to prevent this kind of thing from happeining again and devotees can carry on with their woship with...

The Nattukottai Chettiar Temple also known as Arulmigu Sri Thandayuthapani Temple, is perhaps the most famous among the Hindu temples located in Penang, Malaysia. Dedicated to Lord Thandayuthapani, also known as Lord Murugan, it is commonly known as the Thanneermalai Temple. Located on Waterfall Road (Jalan Kebun Bunga), this Shaivite temple is the centre of the annual Thaipusam festival in Penang.

Being astute businessmen and moneylenders, Chettiars traditionally built temples that were hallmarks of quality. These temples are usually well managed and financially self sufficient. The temple was founded around 1854, after the Chettiar community in Penang Street, bought the piece of land to build the Chettiar quarters, or kittangi. Within the Chettiar quarters is the temple of Thandayuthapani, an incarnation of the deity Murugan. A point of interest is that the wooden superstructure and the pillars are all made of Burmese teak. There are hundreds of paintings depicting religious themes lining the recesses of the roof all round. The sanctum sanctorum faces the east. This temple was built in the “chokkattan” form (a layout shaped like the plus sign, designed by His Holiness Veerappa Swamigal of the Kovilur Mutt, Karaikudi,Tamil Nadu, India) and was consecrated on 12th December, 1857. Further consecration ceremonies were held on 2nd September,1928; 8th February, 1935; 28th January, 1955; 13th July, 1981, and 27th November, 1995.

It was the practice for the Nattukottai Chettiars, to build temples for the Lord Murugan wherever they settled. This was the case in Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaya, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Singapore. They were advised by Sivachariars not to build any Sivan Temples as certain rituals had to be observed and since the Brahmin Sivachariars who would perform these rituals were prohibited, by tradition, from crossing the seas. So the Chettiar were advised to establish Lord Murugan Temples where non-Brahmin priests, the pandarams, could be...

Arulmigu Thandayuthapani Temple

Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple is also called Tannirmalai (waterfall). “Every good journey begins with first step” – the inscription you will see at the first stairs. There is a different staircase to go down. The temple itself is of 2 levels, with the new, more attractive wing, a bit higher up. The view at hilltop temple is breathtaking; Penang coastline is beautiful. Assure you have something to drink. Toilets and lavabos are...