The Penang Nagarathar Thandayuthapani Temple (PNTT) located along Waterfall Road on Penang Island, Malaysia is dedicated to Lord Murugan in the form of Thandayuthapani and has its origins in 1854 when the Nattukottai Chettiar community purchased a piece of land along Waterfall Road. The hills and the groves which surround this area clearly reflect the character of the Lord Murugan as the Lord of the hilly lands. Then a small shrine dedicated it to Lord Murugan who is the patron deity for the Nattukottai Chettiar community, its divinity and sacredness soon made it a bastion of the Hindu population on the island. Craftsmen and artisans were brought to Penang from Karaikudi in Chettinad and they constructed the temple in the style of palatial mansion of Chettinad with a imposing façade, grand entrance with granite steps and a verandah (Thinnai). It’s ornately carved granite door frame is fitted with a double door which has the unique feature of a door within a door. Upon entering, one is greeted by the towering Burmese teak pillars and ornately carved roof beams. The floor is made of granite slabs as well as red, green and yellow coloured terrazzo with metal inlay. There are two courtyards, living quarters, storage quarters and a grand kitchen where food is prepared for the devotees. Visitors are greeted with antique chandeliers, crystal glass oil lamps from Val Saint-Lambert from Belgium, mercury balls and hanging angels. During prayers times, one gets to listen to the melodious 100 year old bell which was casted by B.V.G Bochum in Germany in 1911. As one enters the hall of the main alter, one gets to admire the depiction of the 12 Zodiac signs crafted from Burmese teak and the numerous figurines that adorn the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum. During the Thaipusam festival, the towering 6.6 meter 118 year old Silver Chariot is also displayed at the temple. This gem in the crown is made of Burmese teak and pure silver and weighs in at an astounding 8.5 tonnes. It was commissioned by the trustees and constructed in Karaikudi, South India and brought over to Penang in the year 1894. The grand Silver Chariot was given a total overhaul and restored in 2004 at a cost of RM 100,000. To oversee the works, the great-grandson of the original chariot maker S.Thiyagarajan was tracked and brought to Penang from Karaikudi, South India. He and his team of 10 craftsmen took 6 months to restore chariot to its former glory. The temple also has a collection of 688 panel paintings done in the traditional Tanjavur style of South India. Arguably this is the largest collection of such works outside of India. These painting are not only great works of art but also serve a historic purpose by throwing light on contemporary society through the dresses, ornamentation, hair-styles, musical instruments, army, armory and a host of other details depicted in them. They typically deal with mythological themes including the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. These treasures too were restored by two conservators over a one and a half month period in November 2010 at a cost of RM 50,000. Last but not least, the temple also houses 238 paintings by Raja Ravi Varma who is considered to be among the greatest painters in the history of Indian art. Raja Ravi Varma received widespread acclaim after he won an award for an exhibition of his paintings at Vienna in 1873. His paintings were also sent to the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893 and he was awarded two gold medals. He is particularly noted for paintings depicting episodes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. His representation of mythological characters has become a part of the Indian imagination of the epics and his paintings are considered to be among the best examples of the fusion of Indian traditions with the techniques of European art. PNTT had its first consecration ceremony on the 12th December 1857 and has ever since been a testament of the contribution of the Nattukottai Chettiar community towards the worship of Lord Murugan. Vetri Vel Murugannukke …. Araharohara.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 02:09:02 +0000