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The Sri Mahamariamman Temple was founded by Thambusamy Pillai in 1873 and was initially the Pillai family’s private shrine. It was only in 1920 that the doors of the temple were thrown open to the public and eventually the management was handed down to the board of trustees. The Mahamariamman is the oldest functioning Indian temple in Malaysia and is reputed to be the richest in the country. Originally sited near the KL Railway Station, the Mahamariamman Temple was shifted to its present base along the Jalan Tung H S Lee, adjacent to Chinatown in 1885. The initial attap structure was demolished in 1887 and a brick building was erected in its place. This structure was again brought down to make way for the current temple buildings which were completed in 1968. The impressive five-tiered gateway or gopuram was completed in 1972. This entirely new shrine was consecrated in 1973. The structure of the temple resembles the shape of a human being lying on its back with its head positioned towards the west with the feet to the east. The tallest structure of the temple, the gateway, corresponds to the feet. The high pyramid shaped tower is adorned with gods and goddesses sculpted by artisans from southern India. The premises house a silver chariot which is a prominent feature of the Thaipusam festival. Tamils look upon Sri Mahamariamman as a representative of Parvati or the Mother Goddess.
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