Magnificent attraction: The octagon-shaped Sri Marathandava Aalayam temple near Maran is set to become a popular religious and tourist destination. –By PRITAM SINGH/THE STAR

Big day for Hindu temple
Thousands of Hindus from all over the country converged at the Sri Marathandava Aalayam near Maran for the temple’s Maha Kumbabishegam (consecration ceremony) recently.

Terengganu aims to double tourist arrivals
Under the umbrella of the East Coast Economic Region, Terengganu wants to double the number of holidaymakers visiting the state to 3.5 million this year from 1.83 million in 2005, focusing on big spenders during the Visit Terengganu Year 2008 (VTY08).

A place of massive facelifts
Extensive facelifts were carried out for Kuala Terengganu, which attained city status on Jan 1 and is now known as the Waterfront Heritage City.

Kuala Terengganu attains city status
Rain and bad weather could not dampen the spirits of the 30,000 people who turned up at Dataran Shahbandar in Kuala Terengganu to witness the birth of new city on Tuesday night.

City status for Kuala Terengganu
Kuala Terengganu will be declared a city on Jan 1 by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

Clearing land & sea
The recent Redang Island Clean-Up Day saw divers and non-divers pitching in to help protect and preserve the environment.

Staying afloat
Pulau Duyong is famed for one of Malaysia’s dying arts – traditional boat-making.

Revealing the allure of Terengganu
WITH beautiful beaches, awesome dive spots and a wide variety of traditional Malay cuisine, Terengganu would definitely be on every holidaymaker’s passport next year as the state gears up for Visit Terengganu Year 2008 (VTY08).

Old Kenyir
Kenyir is a typical large impoundment in our country. In fact, it is by far the largest manmade lake in South-East Asia.

Island info
On Perhentian Island.

Pristine Perhentian
Pulau Perhentian has lots to offer – rich marine life, sandy beaches and virgin jungle.

Herbal treasure trove in Bukit Bauk
The Bukit Bauk Forest Reserve is a treasure trove of herbs and plants – including several new species of traditional Malaysian libido boosters, claim experts.

Terengganu’s Heritage Bay Club opens doors to public
The prestigious Heritage Bay Club Resort and Marina, where big names in yachting stayed during the Monsoon Cup tournament here, has opened its doors to the public.

City status for KT on Jan 1
Kuala Terengganu will be elevated to a city on Jan 1 next year and be known as the Heritage Water Front City, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said in Kuala Terengganu.

Terengganu gazettes two more islands as marine parks
In an effort to further boost tourism in Terengganu, the state has gazetted Pulau Yu Besar and Pulau Yu Kechil as marine parks, bringing to 13 the number of islands given the status so far.