Arulmigu Mahamariamman Temple

The Arulmigu Mahamariamman Temple on Queen Street, George Town, is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang. Also known as Sri Mahamariamman Temple or simply the Mariamman Temple, it is dedicated to the Hindu deity Sri Muthu Mariamman, who has a following among the Indians of South India. The temple has its back facing Pitt Street (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling). Scholars believe the name Mariamman comes from two words, mari meaning power, and amman meaning mother. Sri Muthu Mariamman is considered a motherly power figure, a goddess of mercy and patron deity of the peasants of southern India. (http://www.penang-traveltips.com/mahama riamman-temple.htm)

Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple

Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan, or better known as the Penang Hill Hindu Temple, is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang. It started off in the 1800's as a small shrine to the Hindu deity Murugan - the deity associated with Thaipusam - by the Indian sepoys and sedan chair carriers, and is located at a mount within Penang Hill called Gun Hill. A trident, or Murugan Vel, was installed there by the devotees. Over the years, it was enlarged and rebuilt. The present-day incarnation of the Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan is a very ornate Hindu temple in the Dravidian architectural style of South India.

The Dravidian style of constructing Hindu temples calls for four principal parts. The temple proper, or vimana, is the shrine with a tower, a mandapa, or porch, gopurams, or gate towers, and chawadis, or pillar halls. In addition, there would usually be a tank of water for use in sacred rituals or for cleansing. (Source - http://www.penang-traveltips.com/penang-hill-hindu-temple.htm)