The Original Balathandayuthapani Temple

The Original Balathandayuthapani Temple is a small shrine at the base of the Penang Botanic Gardens Waterfall. According to a document posted on the wall of the old Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (reading it in July 2012), the shrine was already existing as early as 1782 and possibly before that. This document attributed a statement made by Francis Light, that Chulias and Chettiars (as Tamils were then known) were already on Penang Island when he established George Town in 1876. They were worshipping the Vel (or sacred spear) of Thanneermalaian. Thaneermalaian means "he who dwells at the waterfall", in reference to the deity Murugan and his shrine at the base of the waterfall.



Original Balathandayuthapani Shrine (27 January, 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


Writing this in July 2012, I have personally not yet come across the said statement by Francis Light, and would be very interested to review and verify it. If this is substantiated, it will provide evidence that Tamils have already established themselves on this part of Penang Island (in addition to possible Tamil settlements along Sungai Pinang).

The Original Balathandayuthapani Temple was the main temple for the worship of Murugan until 1850, when it had to be relocated when the British administration took over the area to establish a reservoir. The temple was given an eleven-acre plot of land along the then Waterfall Road. The relocated temple was completed in 1850. It is located at a perch overlooking George Town.

Although the worship of Murugan was relocated, the original shrine did not totally disappear. Visitors to the Penang Botanic Gardens Waterfall will be able to see the shrine. However, access to this area is restricted, and permission has to be sought from PBA Penang.



An altar at the Botanic Gardens Waterfall (27 January, 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo



Run-off from the Botanic Gardens Waterfall (27 January, 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
source:http://www.penang-traveltips.com/original-balathandayuthapani-temple.htm

Kumbavishagam (Consecration) of Penang Balathandayuthapani Temple

THE Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani new temple building in Jalan Kebun Bunga is set to be a new tourist attraction in Penang when it is completed in June. The temple’s consecration ceremony is scheduled for June 29 2012.

The hilltop temple, with its seven-storey 21.6m-tall gopuram (main tower), has been touted as the largest Lord Murugan temple outside India by its committee chairman.

It is expected to receive thousands of visitors from all over the world yearly when completed after almost a decade of construction.

Interestingly, the new temple’s features are inspired from the era of the Chola and Pallava kingdoms of India and the crafting work was done by Indian artisans from South India, specially brought in to Penang.

He said there were more than 500 steps leading from the foothill to the 20,000sq ft temple in
Penang compared to 272 steps of the Batu Caves Temple in Selayang.

The main gateway is about 21.6m in height which is equivalent to a seven-storey high building.

Visitors entering the temple’s 70,000sq ft grounds will be greeted by a majestic 8.23m-tall statue of Lord Shiva at the foot of the hill.

An 18-ft high crafted teak wood door will be a special feature at the new Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple in Waterfall Road here.

Visitors, both devotees and tourists alike, will enjoy walking on the cool granite floor while viewing the 11 different floral designs on the ceiling with that of a peacock facing the “Moolastanam” where the idol of Lord Murugan will be placed, he said.

As visitors reach the top by climbing 511 stairs, they are bound to be amazed by the six pillars inside which represent the six main Murugan temples — the Aru Padai Veedu in Tamil Nadu — placed along the way up to the idol of Lord Murugan, he said.

Dr V. Ganapati Sthapati, a well-known architect from Tamil Nadu, India, designed the temple, which sits on 70,000 sq ft of land surrounded by trees and hills.

The temple is located 30 metres higher than the previous temple, which has been there from 1850.

The new temple cost RM10 million to put up, and the federal government contributed RM1.9 million –Bernama

sources:
More Photos at Waterfall Hilltop Temple, Penang
http://www.mysarawak.org/2012/04/24/consecration-of-new-murugan-temple-in-penang-set-for-june-29-new.html
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/4/23/north/11071288&sec=north