Chowrasta Market or Pasar Chowrasta is one of the two community markets in inner George Town. The name comes from Urdu, meaning “four cross roads”.
The area around Chowrasta Market has been a settlement for Tamils from Kadayanallur in southern India, since the mid 19th century. For that reason, it was known as “Kelinga Ban San” in Hokkien, meaning “South Indian Market.” To this day, there are still shops along Lebuh Tamil that are run by the Tamil community of Chowrasta Market.
Today, most of the market activities spill out onto Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Jalan Chowrasta, and Lebuh Tamil.
The city of George Town was recently given another boost with the completion of the new RM62.9 million Swettenham Pier. The terminal capable of berthing international cruise vessels of up to 90,000 tons berthed its first cruise liner SuperStar Libra on 13 November 2009.
The famed Queen Mary II also made her maiden call at the terminal on 4 February 2010. Other cruise liners that have confirmed calling at the terminal include SuperStar Virgo, Amusement world and AIDAcara. Star Cruises have also made Swettenham Pier the home port of Star Pisces. Star Pisces is currently operating around Penang waters, leaving Swettenham Pier at 8pm nightly and arriving back at the terminal at 8am the next morning.
We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light, which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.
Woodrow T. Wilson
