Simon Soon
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The Sri Ramar Temple at Dhoby Ghaut is one of the earliest temples to be built it Penang. One of the endowment properties of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board, it is located off York Close. Although it is not known exactly when the temple was first built, according to available documents, it must have existed before 1872.
This is confirmed by the existence of a will dated 12 July, 1872 that mentioned the temple. According to the will, the land on which Sri Ramar Temple stands was donated by an Indian woman by the name of Ranee Dhoby. Ranee Dhoby is of course a title rather than a proper name; it translates as "Dhoby Queen" in respect of her position over the laundrymen.
