Hindu Temples of Sabah: Lok Kawi, Sandakan & Tawau
What are the main Hindu temples in Sabah?
Sabah's notable Hindu temples are Sri Subramaniya Swamy at Lok Kawi near Kota Kinabalu, Sri Sithi Vinayagar in Sandakan, and Sri Thirumurugan Alayam in Tawau. Lok Kawi drew more than 1,200 people for Thaipusam in 2026.
Hindu temples of Sabah at a glance
Sabah's Hindu community is small but long-established, centred on the state's Tamil population and served by temples in its three largest towns. From the Thaipusam processions at Lok Kawi to the Ganesha temple in Sandakan and the Murugan temple in Tawau, each site tells a distinct story of faith and community.
This guide covers three temples — Sri Subramaniya Swamy at Lok Kawi near Kota Kinabalu, Sri Sithi Vinayagar in Sandakan, and Sri Thirumurugan Alayam in Tawau — along with Thaipusam, the major annual festival that brings the community, and visitors of all faiths, together.
Lok Kawi (KK): Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, the focus of Thaipusam in the capital. Sandakan: Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to Vinayagar (Ganesha). Tawau: Sri Thirumurugan Alayam, dedicated to Murugan.
Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Lok Kawi
Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Lok Kawi, Kota Kinabalu, also reported as Sri Subramaniar Temple, was established in the 1970s (Malay Mail, checked 7 October 2026). It functions as a focal point for Hindu worship in the state capital area and is best known as the centre of Sabah's Thaipusam celebration.
To accommodate its growing congregation, the temple has built permanent covered areas to replace the tents it once rented for festivals, and plans further work on the main hall and priest's quarters, which have been affected by flooding (Malay Mail, checked 7 October 2026).
Thaipusam in Sabah
Thaipusam is the major annual event at Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, held in January or February. It has grown in recent years: in 2026 the festival drew more than 1,200 people, up from about 800 in 2025 (Malay Mail, checked 7 October 2026).
A central rite of the festival is the paal kudam, or milk-pot offering. In 2026, about 150 devotees carried milk pots, up from 80 the year before. Thaipusam at Lok Kawi also attracts visitors of other faiths and is reported as a show of Sabah's spirit of unity.
Thaipusam falls in January or February and draws large crowds to Lok Kawi. If you plan to attend, arrive early, dress modestly, and watch the paal kudam milk-pot procession respectfully — asking before photographing any devotee or ritual in progress.
| Thaipusam at Lok Kawi | Figure |
|---|---|
| Attendees, 2026 | More than 1,200 |
| Attendees, 2025 | About 800 |
| Paal kudam devotees, 2026 | About 150 (80 in 2025) |
| Timing | January or February |
Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Sandakan
In Sandakan, the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple is dedicated to Vinayagar, the deity also widely known as Ganesha. As an active Hindu temple in Sabah's historic east-coast town, it serves the local Tamil and broader Hindu community.
It can be visited alongside Sandakan's heritage sites, offering a glimpse of the religious diversity that has long characterised the town.
Sri Thirumurugan Alayam, Tawau
Sri Thirumurugan Alayam in Tawau is dedicated to Murugan, the war deity and son of Shiva, and serves the Tamil and broader Hindu communities in Tawau. As a Hindu temple in Sabah's southern gateway town, it completes the picture of Hindu worship spread across the state's three largest urban centres.
Temple etiquette
Hindu temples in Sabah are active places of worship and welcome respectful visitors. Dress modestly, and remove your shoes before entering the prayer areas, as is customary at Hindu temples. Keep your voice low and move calmly, especially during festivals such as Thaipusam.
Ask before photographing people at prayer or any ceremony in progress, and do not touch altars, statues or offerings unless you are invited to do so. A little courtesy ensures that worshippers and visitors of all faiths can share these spaces comfortably.