Enchanting Malaysia
PENANG
 |
| Batu Ferringhi, Penang |
I
received an opportunity from Tourism Malaysia to visit Penang last year. It was
a 45-minute flight journey from KLIA to Penang lying in Peninsular Malaysia,
known as the “Pearl of the Orient”. We had an hour-long bus ride to reach Batu
Ferringhi Island, the land of endearing beauty overlooking the Straits of
Malacca with sun-soaked beaches, swaying palms, casuarina trees and golden
sands and the land would certainly leave you asking for more. George Town, the
capital of Penang, listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage city in 2008 derived its
name from King George III when Malaysia was under the influence of Colonial
rule. We had set off to explore George Town.
FORT
CORNWALLIS:
 |
| Fort Cornwallis |
 |
| Francis Light |
Nestling
on the Street of Harmony, Fort Cornwallis- the single-storied fort is the best
preserved one in Peninsular Malaysia. Built way back in 1786 by Captain Francis
Light, the fort was made of nipa palm
(of South-East Asian origin) and was rebuilt by the Governor-General of India
in 1810. It was erected with a stock of thorny palm trunks known as nibong palm and was later replaced by a
brick fort.
The monument stands at a place where Captain Francis Light had landed in 1786 to take possession of Penang. The bronze statue of Francis Light is at the entrance.
The monument stands at a place where Captain Francis Light had landed in 1786 to take possession of Penang. The bronze statue of Francis Light is at the entrance.
MAHAMARIAMMAN
TEMPLE
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| Mahamariamman Temple |
The
earliest and the highly revered shrine in George Town, the temple on Queen
Street was set up in 1833 and has been declared as a World Heritage Site.
Renovated in 1933, the shrine has a prominent dome and its entrance has a gopuram symbolizing Dravidian
architecture that bears 38 carved, colourful statues of Hindu pantheons. During
Thaipusam festival, the procession of kavadi-carriers
takes off from the shrine.
St.
GEORGE’S CHURCH
 |
| St George's Church |
Built in memory of
St. George, the martyr in 1818, the church is the most ancient Anglican
religious shrine in South-East Asia. Listed in national heritage site, the
church was severely destroyed during Second World War. The memorial of Francis
Light stands on the grounds of the church.
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