Temple History: Ayer Itam Maha Mariamman Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang. The full name of this temple is Arulmigu Sri Ruthra Veeramuthu Maha Mariamman Devasthanam. It was started as merely a small attap shrine in 1886, by the Hindu community of Ayer tam, to worship the female deity Mariamman. In 1898, the first annual fire walking ceremony in Penang was held at the Maha Mariamman Temple. The shrine was improved to a temple in 1920, and the first Maha Kumbha Abishegam ceremony was performed in 1926. Since 1939, the Ayer Itam Maha Mariamman Temple hosts an annual chariot procession that passes through Air Itam, Kampung Baru, Rifle Range, Kampong Pisang and the Than Teik estate now known as Farlim. In 2002, the Ayer Itam Maha Mariamman Temple began a project to completely renovate the temple. A new entranceway and gopuram (temple towers) were erected, and new sculptures were created by artisans.