The Balathandayuthapani Temple was originally located within the grounds of the Penang Botanical Gardens. According to popular belief, a sadhu (holy man) chose a spot close to the waterfalls for a shrine dedicated to Murugan. The place was called thanner malai, meaning water hill. From the 1850's the Balathandayuthapani temple became the focus of the annual Thaipusam celebrations.
When the British authorities decided to turn the water catchment area around the waterfall into a reservoir around the turn of the 20th century, then original shrine moved to its present site on 11 acres of hillside. The Balathandayuthapani temple has undergone several major renovations. At the foot of the staricase leading to the Balathandayuthapani temple is a shrine dedicated to the deity Ganesha. The Sree Ganeshar Temple has since developled into a separate temple in its own right, and with its own devotees.
The Sree Ganeshar Temple at the foot of the staircase leading to the Balathandayuthapani Temple.
View of the Sree Ganeshar temple.
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