Dharmikarama Burmese Temple in Penang

Dharmikarama Burmese Temple is the only Burmese Buddhist temple outside Myanmar. Located in Georgetown Penang, it stands opposite Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, with a pair of large stone elephants flanking the front gates. Inside the pagoda grounds is a Boddhi tree, a wishing pond and apartments for monks.

Devotees have contributed many statues of Buddha, so his serene-faced image can be found at almost every corner in different meditation poses. The walkways have a series of panels with beautiful murals depicting scenes of the journey of Prince Siddharta (dressed in typical Burmese fashion) achieving Nirvana and becoming Buddha.

Dharmikarama Burmese Temple History

Built in 1805, one of the most notable features found in the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple are two Panca Rupa (guardian protectors of the world) images, which stand over a globe. These mystical creatures are said to be the masters of water, land and air respectively and have the head of a lion, trunk of an elephant, body of a fish, wings of the mystical Garuda, ears and hooves of a horse, and the horns of a deer.

The first Buddhist temple in Penang, the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple is one of two major Buddhist temples located within the Theravada Buddhist co-op on Burma Lane. It was built on land donated by a Buddhist devotee known as Nyonya Betong.

Did You Know

The temple is at its busiest during festivals such as Wesak Day as well as Thankyan (Water Festival) in April – a celebration similar to Thailand’s Song kran festival, in which devotees splash water at each other and pay respect to elders.

As with any house of worship in Malaysia please remove your shoes before entering the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple: place your shoes along with the rows of others on the steps leading up to certain prayer halls.

The cheapest way to get to Dharmikarama Burmese Temple from Komtar or Lebuh Chulia, is to hop on board TransitLink bus #202, Minibus 26, 31 and 88 or Hin Bus #93.