Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, Penang

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple , Georgetown Penang Overview

Formerly known as Nandy Moloh Burmese Temple, the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is one of the oldest Burmese Buddhist Temple in Malaysia. It is famed for housing the huge marble Buddha statue and a 200 years old well.

The Dhammikarama Burmese Temple elaborates and narrates the rich history of occupation of the Burmese in Penang through elaborate paintings and murals. The temple compound houses a large Bodhi tree, various statues of meditating Buddha, a wishing well and a few apartments for monks. History enthusiasts and tourists with religious beliefs would be intrigued to visit this temple and learn much about Burmese Buddhism in Malaysia.

Architecture of Dhammikarama Burmese Temple

The grand Burmese heritage of the Dhammikarama Temple shades the glorious architecture in form of intricately designed gold interiors, ornamental gold exteriors of the roof, stupas and chandis.

The most notable feature of the temple is the Pancha Rupa statues or chinthes – a form derived from the amalgamation of an elephant, a bird, a fish, a lion and a deer (the guardian protectors of the world) which stand over a globe.
The main entrance is connected to the main hall via a grand corridor that marks the Burmese styled cravings on beautifully decorated pillars along which stands various serene meditating structures of Gautam Buddha.
The main hall holds a mighty tall structure of Buddha, which is elaborately decorated in gold and surrounded by intricate wall works.
Other distinctively designed structures at the temple include a huge mural depicting the renunciation of Prince Siddharth to Gautam Buddha, an 200 year old wishing pond with carp fishes, a bell pavilion, several golden chandis housing Buddha statues, and a large for storey Golden Pagoda Bell Tower
The Bell Tower offers exceptional view of the city of George Town from the 3rd floor of the Pagoda.
The temple is also home to an award winning gardening landscape within its premises.

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple Penang — The grand interior (Source)

How to Reach

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is positioned on the Burma Lane (also called Lorong Burma) in Palau Tikus in George Tow, the capital city of Penang. The temple can be located directly opposite to the famous Reclining Buddha of Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Temple.

Bus: Various Rapid Penang bus shuttles run from the center to Georgetown to the Burmese Temple. The most convenient and the cheapest way to head to the temple is by boarding a bus from Komtar or Lebuh Chulia to the destination, for RM 1 to RM 4 fare.

Taxi: A taxi ride to Dhammikarama Burmese Temple from central Georgetown costs RM 30 – RM 40 and from Penang International Airport comes around RM 60, for one way fare.

Need to Know

To witness major festivities celebrated in the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, plan your visit around April, when the Wesak Day and Thankyan Water Festival is celebrated merrily in the temple compound.
Make sure to remove the shoes before entering the temple complex.
Do not miss the mesmerizing view of Penang from the 3rd floor of the Golden Bell Tower of the temple.
The best time to revel the temple complex is around 8:00 AM before tourist buses full of vacationers crowd the complex.