Waterfall Hilltop Temple (Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani)
Last updated: October 2026
The Waterfall Hilltop Temple, formally the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan on a hill above Jalan Kebun Bunga (Waterfall Road), right beside the Penang Botanic Gardens. You reach it by climbing 513 steps, and the reward is a richly carved temple and a terrace looking across Air Itam and George Town to the sea. Its cream-coloured seven-storey gopuram (gateway tower) is visible from much of the north of the island, and every year the hill becomes the destination of Penang's Thaipusam festival, one of the largest in Malaysia.
This guide covers the temple's long history, what to see, opening hours, the climb, dress code, transport and nearby sights, checked in October 2026.
| Address | Jalan Air Terjun (Waterfall Road), George Town |
|---|---|
| Details | Daily 6 am – 12 pm & 4:30 – 9 pm Free 513 steps |
| Area | Botanic Gardens |
| Typical visit | About 1 h |
| Listed in | Penang Attractions |
| Take me here | |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
History of the Waterfall Hilltop Temple
The shrine at the waterfall
Murugan worship in this valley is older than the hilltop temple. Tamil labourers in early colonial Penang set up a shrine to Murugan at the foot of the waterfall that now lies inside the Botanic Gardens, and this waterfall shrine became the focus of the island's Thaipusam celebrations during the 19th century. Temple tradition places its origins in the very first years of the British settlement; the earliest firm record is an 1856 painting by Captain Charles Henry Cazalet that shows the shrine, and later drawings from the 1870s show a thatched-roof structure on the bank of the stream. Hinduism Today describes it as one of the oldest places of worship on Penang Island.
The move to the hill
When the Waterfall Reservoir was built in the 1890s, the waterfall became part of a protected water catchment, and the authorities grew concerned that crowds of worshippers would pollute the supply. In 1913 the government announced that the temple would be removed, and in 1914 the Mohammedan and Hindu Endowments Board bought a hilltop site of about 10.5 acres nearby for 7,500 Straits dollars. The first Thaipusam on the new hill was held in February 1915. The first steps up the hill were built in the 1930s, and the hilltop temple was rebuilt several times, with a grand consecration of the previous temple held on 28 January 1985.
The 2012 temple
By the 2000s the old temple could not cope with Thaipusam crowds, which had grown to several hundred thousand people, and the site had structural problems. Construction of a new, much larger temple began in 2006 on a granite plateau about 30 metres above the old shrine. It was designed in the Tamil temple tradition, with influences from Chola and Pallava architecture, by the Indian temple architect Dr V. Ganapati Sthapati, and a team of artisans from South India spent about four years carving it by hand on site. The project cost about RM10 million. The Maha Kumbabhishegam, the grand consecration, took place on 29 June 2012 over three days, attended by around 300,000 people and by priests from the six principal Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu. At about 70,000 square feet, it is promoted as the largest Murugan temple outside India.
What to See at the Waterfall Hilltop Temple
- The gopuram: the seven-storey gateway tower is 21.6 metres tall and covered with sculpted deities, guardians and mythical figures.
- The teak doors and pillared hall: the entrance has carved teak doors about 18 feet (5.5 metres) high, and inside, six pillars represent the six main abodes of Murugan in South India.
- The view: the terrace looks east over Air Itam, the Botanic Gardens and George Town towards the Penang Strait. Morning and evening light are best for photos.
- The base complex: at the foot of the hill are the Arulmigu Sree Ganeshar Temple (dating from the 1950s), a large statue of Lord Shiva about 8 metres tall, and the Dewan Arulmamani Arumugam Pillai hall, built in 1956.
Thaipusam
Thaipusam falls on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, usually in late January or early February. In Penang the festival begins with a chariot procession carrying Murugan's image from Little India in George Town to Waterfall Road, followed the next day by thousands of devotees climbing the hill carrying kavadi (decorated frames), milk pots and offerings in fulfilment of vows. A golden chariot, about 4.3 metres high and costing RM3 million, joined the procession from 2017. Visitors are welcome to watch, but expect huge crowds, road closures and drums, and plan transport carefully.
Opening Hours, Entry and How Long to Spend
- Hours: daily 6 am to 12 pm and 4:30 pm to 9 pm. The temple closes in the middle of the day.
- Entry: free; donations are welcome.
- The climb: 513 steps. Separate staircases are used for going up and coming down. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for the climb, with breaks.
- Time needed: about an hour including the climb.
How to Get to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple
- Bus: Rapid Penang bus 10 runs from Weld Quay and Komtar to the Botanic Gardens; the temple steps are a short walk from the gardens' area along Jalan Kebun Bunga.
- Grab or taxi: about 15 to 20 minutes from George Town. Part of the access road near the Botanic Gardens has been affected by Penang Hill cable car construction, so drivers may drop you a few hundred metres away.
- Car: there is parking at the foot of the hill, but it fills quickly on festival days and weekends.
Tips for Visiting
- Go early, around 7 to 9 am, before the heat builds on the open staircase, or after 4:30 pm when the temple reopens and the light softens.
- Dress modestly, with long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders, and remove your shoes where indicated before entering the temple.
- Bring water for the climb. Macaques live in the surrounding forest, so keep food and loose items out of sight.
- The steps make the temple unsuitable for wheelchair users and difficult for anyone with limited mobility.
- Combine the visit with a walk in the Penang Botanic Gardens next door. For food, the Botanic Gardens area has a few drink and snack stalls; more choice is in Pulau Tikus or Air Itam.
- During Thaipusam, wear comfortable clothes, stay hydrated and follow the marshals; leave the steps to devotees during the busiest hours.
Waterfall Hilltop Temple (Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani) Location
Nearby
- Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Waterfall Hilltop Temple) — Temple, 0.0 km away
- Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple — Temple, 0.5 km away
- New Bob Rent-A-Car & Tours — Car rental, 0.7 km away
- Penang Botanic Gardens — Attraction, 0.7 km away
- SNH Wellness Centre (St Nicholas' Home) — Spa & massage, 1.2 km away
- Penang Adventist Hospital — Hospital, 1.3 km away
Plan a route with opening times using the Where2Go trip planner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many steps are there to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple?
There are 513 steps from the base to the hilltop temple, with separate staircases for going up and coming down.
What are the opening hours of the Waterfall Hilltop Temple?
It is open daily from 6 am to 12 pm and from 4:30 pm to 9 pm. Entry is free.
When was the Waterfall Hilltop Temple built?
The present temple was built from 2006 and consecrated on 29 June 2012. Worship on the hill dates from 1915, when the earlier shrine was moved from the waterfall in the Botanic Gardens.
What should I wear to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple?
Wear long trousers or a long skirt and cover your shoulders. Remove your shoes where indicated before entering the temple.
When is Thaipusam at the Waterfall Hilltop Temple?
Thaipusam falls on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, usually in late January or early February. Check the exact date each year, as the hill and surrounding roads become extremely crowded.