Foto

Penang Hill Hindu Temple

To escape the heat of tropical Georgetown, tourists may follow the example of the early colonial settlers and head up to the top of the 830-m Penang Hill (or Strawberry Hill, or Bukit Bendera). Nowadays, a funicular railway makes the ascension easier and is a funny ride with occasional view on bits of jungle life. At the top of the hill, you’ll find an English-style restaurant, souvenir stalls, the old Bellevue hotel (with a small aviary garden and, as suggested by its name, a fabulous view), a mosque and, here we come to the photo, a Hindu temple. Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan, or better known as the Penang Hill Hindu Temple, is one of the oldest of the several Hindu temples on Penang Island. It started off in the 1800's as a small shrine to the Hindu deity Murugan. I’m not familiar at all with Hindu temples and their colorful decoration and iconography sort of challenge my thoughts. However, I find them photogenic for the same reasons, i.e. for their bright colors and amazing imagery.