Five religious tourist attractions in Medan -

Visiting the capital of North Sumatra, Medan, you are very likely to fulfil a diverse community from various ethnic backgrounds. Its location along the northeast shore of Sumatra created it a hectic trading hub before, made in settlers out of those nations like China and India.

Owing to its diversity, Medan is also called “Little Asia”. It hosts several areas of worship, from mosques and churches into temples and viharas.

One of many places of worship in Medan, we put together a list of six places which you can visit at Medan.

Masjid Raya Medan (Great Mosque of Medan)

This mosque was originally constructed in 1906 as a part of the Maimoon palace complex. It’s situated on Jl. Sisingamangaraja, with a power of 1,500 worshipers. The architect of this construction will be JA Tingdeman, who was handed the project by Dutch architect Theodoor van Erp, the developer of Maimoon Palace.

Designed using a symmetrical octagonal design, the mosque unites elements from Morocco, Europe, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, its minaret is an elaborate blend of Egyptian, Iranian and Arabian styles.

Kuil Sri Mariamman (Sri Mariamman Temple)

This temple is not merely a place to worship the Goddess Mariamman. It’s also a tourist destination where guests can detect designs very similar to those of Roman temples in South India and Sri Lanka.

The temple also houses the Sculptures of Hindu gods, namely Vishnu, Ganesha, Shiva, Durga and Murugan.

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni (Our Lady of Good Health Catholic Church)

Also Called a Marian shrine, the building was created by an Indian Jesuit priest, Father James Barathapura, SJ. The shrine is dedicated to the Blessed Mother Mary, who’s known in India as Annai Velangkanni Arokia Matha.

Velangkanni stems from the title of a village in coastal Tamil Nadu (South India) which is thought to have witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the 16th century.

The shrine has a superb, imposing structure with an Indo-Mughal architectural mix.

Vihara Gunung Timur (Gunung Timur Temple)

Located near to Hindu temple Shri Mariamman along with the Medan Grand Mosque, this temple is a fantastic representation of ‘unity in diversity’.

This temple, with the title which means “east mountain”, is always packed with worshipers during Chinese New Year, the Cap Go Meh holiday as well as the Chit Gwee Pua festival.

Masjid Al-Osmani (Al-Osmani Mosque)

Dating back over 160 decades, Al-Osmani Mosque seems identified with its yellowish facade and green accents. Said to incorporate influences from China, India, Europe and the Middle East in its layout, the mosque is topped with an octagonal dome.

The mosque currently acts as a place to pray, commemorate holy days and also a point of departure for haj pilgrims. Initially, in the 19th century, the mosque was utilized by the sultan of Delhi to fulfil his people.

Planning to visit Medan soon? Find out more about Medan and Indonesia by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.