See the 350-kilogram silver chariot that hauls a god to Batu Caves
240 bells, 6.5 metres, 7 kilometres
Sri Mahamariamman was founded in 1873 at the edge of Chinatown and is the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur. Its raja gopuram carries over two hundred sculpted figures.
Why it's unique
The chariot is the thing. Built in 1983 from 350 kilograms of silver at a cost of RM350,000, it stands 6.5 metres tall, carries 240 bells and a pair of silver horses, and sits in the temple compound where you can walk up to it.
Once a year on the eve of Thaipusam it is hauled seven kilometres through the streets of Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves, carrying statues of Murugan and his consorts, with 500 volunteers managing a crowd of around 250,000. A solid-silver processional chariot of this scale, in active annual use rather than in a museum case, is not something other cities have.
Before you go
The chariot is in the compound year-round, so you do not need to time a visit to Thaipusam to see it — and Thaipusam itself is overwhelming rather than pleasant if crowds are not your thing.
Shoes off at the entrance and there is a small charge to mind them. Shoulders and knees covered. Go in the morning when it is cool and active with worshippers rather than visitors.