Multi-religious temples in the Johor Bahru Downtown

1. MASJID INDIA

Remarkable mosque along Coronation Avenue is Masjid India located on Jalan Duke, Johor Bahru, and built in the 1950s. This piece of land was bought from a bread making factory for RM20,000 by Dato’ Hj Abdul Majid and Haji Mohamed Ibrahim. They built a surau India (a small mosque) on the land. Dato’ Haji Abdul Majid was elected to become the first president of the surau by 300 Indian Muslims upon the approval of Sultan Ibrahim. Under his management, the mosque advanced and progressed to modern times with renovations approved by the Sultan of Johor in the 1970s.

Address: Jalan Duke, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/GmCRn3Kout96HKbU7 

2. ARULMIGU RAJAMARIAMMAN DEVASTHANAM TEMPLE

An iconic landmark in the city centre, this temple built in 1911 stands out as an extraordinary heritage with more than 120 statues and 26 wall paintings in the temple. In the early 20th century, there was a large community of Indian labourers working for Sultan Ibrahim at some areas such as Mount Austin, Castlewood and Pasir Pelangi.

Their leader, Kootha Perumal Vandayar requested permission from the Sultan to build a Hindu temple for their community to hold religious ceremonies. Sultan Ibrahim agreed. His Majesty donated a piece of land and $500 for construction purposes. Once completed, it was called Mariamman Temple.

In 1985, it was changed to Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam, the word “Raja” in the middle of the name was added as appreciation for the kindness of Sultan Ibrahim. “Arulmigu” in Tamil stands for “holy” or “glory”, “Devasthanam” means temple and “Raja” means king.

Amazing in design, the Rajagopuram opposite the shrine of Arulmigu Rajamariamman is five-tiered with five gold-plated kalasams. It is built according to the agamic tenets. There are sculptured dolls, which enhance the artistic beauty of the Rajagopuram. The pillars are made of stone and the doors are made of hardwood. The towering, magnificent 75-feet (highest in Johor) Rajagopuram welcomes you into the temple.

Address: 1a, Jalan Ungku Puan, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor 

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ATPBPP6Pa2829siR9 

Phone: 07-223 3989

3. MASJID AN-NUR KOTARAYA

The An-Nur Kota Raya Mosque is a mosque located in Galleria Kotaraya. It’s the only fully air-conditioned mosque in Malaysia sited in a shopping Complex and is owned by Johor Corporation (J-Corp), a subsidiary of the Johor state government.

Address: 65, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/2naSUyApiC49yRHV8 

Operation time: 5:45am - 9pm

4. GURDWARA SAHIB SIKH TEMPLE

"There are six Sikh temples in the Johor state, with the Sikh Temple Johor Bahru built in the city in 1916. In the late 19th century, the Sikh community settled in Johor and many joined the police force whilst some served as the Johor Sultan’s Guard.

There was an incident that a fire broke out in the rubber store of Sultan Ibrahim in Pasir Pelangi and the estate workers could not put it out. As the fire continued burning, the police were sent for. The Sikh came and helped. They carried carts of water and some of them used green branches to put out the fire. After the fire was put out, Sultan Ibrahim granted them a piece of land for the temple.

In 1916, the Sikh requested for a piece of land from the Johor Police Commissioner to build a Gudwara Sahib. In 1921, the present site was gazetted as a temple reserve. This land was very muddy and swampy. The Sikhs filled up the land with sand and stones and upon this they constructed their first Sikh Temple in late 1921.

Address: Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/AGmRjiepNikCRmSb9 

5. JOHOR ANCIENT TEMPLE

As the first Chinese temple in Malaysia to be named after a state, the Johor Ancient Temple has a rich history that dates back over 140 years. Built in the 19th century by the former leader of Ngee Heng Kongsi led by Tan Hiok Nee and Chinese community leaders, the temple stands resplendent with heritage between city skyscrapers and office towers. In 1996, this temple was renovated at the cost of RM1.5 million.

Address: Lot 653, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4C4i2UxkdGd7dZCy5 

Phone: 07-276 2550

Operation time: 7am - 5pm

6. AL-ATTAS MOSQUE

"Distinguished as the first mosque in Johor during the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar, the Al-Attas Mosque built in 1869 by Habib Hassan Bin Ahmad Al-Attas, a Malay priest (ulama) and businessman of Arabian origin was also known as “First Mile Mosque” (Masjid Batu Satu). As the main assembly point for Johor Muslims during that era, the mosque was later renovated in 2003 to become a spacious, modern double-storey place of worship.

Address: Jalan Gertak Merah, Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LiNiGRNcePkAhKiv9 

7. CATHOLIC CHURCH OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

"Over a century of history and heritage has shaped the Catholic Church of Immaculate Conception. Originating as a chapel built in the year 1883 by the late Rev. Fr. C. Saleilles, M.A.P., it was named “Our Lady of Lourdes”. Rev Fr. Saleilles who travelled by boat from Singapore contributed to the establishment of Johor in 1881 by administering to the needs of Catholic families. He was generous to the poor and his acts of kindness were noticed by His Highness Sultan Abu Bakar who graciously granted a piece of land for a church. In 1883, the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes was inaugurated. The building was later used as a funeral parlour.

The present Church of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) was built by Rev. Fr. M Duvelle, and blessed by Bishop Barillon at the end of 1921, when there was only a wooden bridge linking Johor and Singapore. Today, it is the oldest church in this city."

Address: Alternate Entrance, Jalan Abdul Rahman Andak, 80010, 9, Jalan Gereja, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/KsUivToM6mHuCn7H8 

Phone: 07-224 3034

8. HOLY LIGHT CHURCH

"The Holy Light Church in Johor Bahru is one of the oldest churches in the state capital. It was founded by Rev John Angus Bethune Cook, a missionary of the Presbyterian Church in England in 1886. The English missionary came to Johor Bahru and stayed until 1924, when he returned to England upon retirement. He spent most of his life in service to the Lord. 

During his time in Johor Bahru, Cook completed the construction of Holy Light Church with the approval of Sultan Abu Bakar. It was a favour given by James Meldrum, who was the son-in-law of Reverend Benjamin Keasberrym (the tutor of Sultan Abu Bakar). The church stands prominently along Jalan Gertak Merah. It used to run 2 services on Sundays, one in English and other in Chinese, due to the large Chinese community of TeoChew dialect attending church."

Address: 11, Jalan Gertak Merah, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vXa56bXDZi5yKEjh9