There’s a lot of energy and charm packed into this area of George Town! And Little India is right in the middle of Penang’s heritage zone too.
Other than the glorious Indian food that you can have here, there are all sorts of shops to see! We went to see Little India for ourselves, and this is what we have to share about it.
History
Little India began in Chulia Street under the administration of Sir Francis Light, the founder of Penang. Agricultural workers, spice traders and money lenders made up most of the Indian immigrants here.
The Indian community grew (with the addition of Punjabis, Malayalees, Telugus and Gujaratis) to include Queen Street, Penang Street and Market Street. These are collective known as the Francis Light Grid.
For decades, merchants and traders plied their traditional trades like spices. Attracting Indian rubber plantation workers to stop by.
Today, some of these shops remain. Along with more recent enterprises! You can find goods like sarees, prayer paraphernalia, gold, flowers, sweets and spices.
Exploring Little India
You can choose to take a trishaw if you want to, but we found Little India to be very walkable. Especially if you go earlier in the day. We started our exploration around 10am so it was not too hot yet. Our starting point was the big yellow arch that marked Litte India.
Note: There are also trishaw drivers over at Armenian Street.
There weren’t many other tourists around yet. We saw some shopkeepers still setting up their wares. But other businesses like gold shops, currency exchange services, and street stalls selling deep fried snacks like samosas were already busy.
Besides these, we saw modern marts, traditional barber shops, and spice shops. Many (if not all) the shops here smell strongly of incense (not a bad thing).
There was an Indian café (Tea Kadai) that we had bookmarked a long time ago, but it was not open until 2pm and we weren’t ready to wait that long for it.
Another place we were eager to check out was the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. We found out the hard way that the back of the temple is at the main road. So, we had to go back around to access the entrance and the front of the temple.
As long as you remove your shoes, you can enter the temple. If you want, you can purchase a ticket inside the temple to participate in the prayer sessions. The inside of the temple feels very calming and there are many intricate details in the interior.
Note: The back entrance is at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (or Pitt Street), between Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Chulia
Besides the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, we also stopped at the Goddess Of Mercy Temple Penang (Kuan Yin Temple). It’s not far to walk to from Little India but you do have to cross a busy road to get to it.
From its location close to the sea, it makes sense that Penang’s oldest Taoist temple (Dating back to 1728) was initially dedicated to a sea deity. Today, the Taoist Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin is the main deity here after the temple’s renovation in 1824. Hence, locals frequently refer to this temple as Kuan Yin Teng.
Note: The temple is very lively on the 1st and 15th day of every lunar month. And during Chinese New Year and the Guan Yin’s birthday, of course!
While exploring Little India, we also came across two big street murals. One by the firefighters building (which is also a heritage building). And another not too far away from the first one.
If you’re keen on street art, there are more around Armenian Street and Stewart Lane.
Hotels Nearby
Staying close to Little India is convenient with lots of vegetarian food available and George Town attractions at walking distance! Here are three recommendations:
- East Indies Mansion – Boutique hotel resembling a traditional Chinese shophouse. Has a scenic courtyard and a lot of wooden furnishings.
- Ren I Tang Heritage Inn – Simple but quaint boutique hotel in a restored building
- Palm Mansion Boutique Suites – It feels like Bali at this boutique hotel in Little India with rustic décor and generous foliage around!
Conclusion
Colorful Little India is a brilliant addition to any itinerary! Highlights include flavorful and authentic Indian cuisine and the traditional shops.
If you want to see this street at its liveliest however, that will be before or during Indian festivals like Deepavali and Thaipusam!
Attractions In Penang
When you’re done having a look around Little India, why not check out these other Penang attractions? Some are within walking distance.
Love Lane in Penang
You can walk over to Love Lane from Little India. There are cafes, pubs and massage parlors in this heritage street. The vibes here of this night spot are very different!
Penang Peranakan Mansion
Penang Peranakan Mansion is close to Little India and the starting point for learning more about the rich Baba and Nyonya culture in Penang. The opulent former home is a well-preserved collection of the past 100 years! There are daily tours too.