Top 10 Most Beautiful Hindu Temples in Malaysia

Temples are not only a place for worship and meditation, it is also a reflection of the community of the local devotees. They are most often rich with culture and positive energy. If you want are interested in visiting Hindu temples outside India, then Malaysia has a lot to offer you. Even though Islam is the religion of the federation, freedom of religion is part of our country's constitution, making Malaysia one of the most peaceful countries in the region and the world. Some of these temples were built simply to serve as a prayer house for the local Hindu communities, and some have mystical stories associated with its origins. Here are the top 10 most beautiful Hindu temples in Malaysia according to Poison Apple.

1) Batu Caves

Batu Caves is a series of caves with cave temples built within a limestone hill. It is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, it is an auspicious place for pilgrimage during the holy festival of Thaipusam. At a height of 42.7 meters, the iconic idol of Lord Murugan is the tallest statue in the region. In 1878, the limestone hill were recorded by colonial authorities. But it was officially made a place fo worship by one K. Thamboosamy Pillai, a trader from India who was inspired by the vel-shaped entrance of the main cave and dedicated the first temple to Lord Murugan. The 272 concrete steps leading to the cave can be quite a walk, but worth the journey for both devotees and tourists alike.

The crowd can reach millions of people during the holy festival of Thaipusam where many devotees would come with grand Kavadis, milk offering or alms for the poor. 

Another large idol, this time of Lord Hanuman.

Inside one of the cave temples. 

The main temple built inside one of the caves. 

2) Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple, Melaka

One might not think this as a Hindu temple based on its simple architecture. But the reason it is so famous is because of its beautiful history. The Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple is the oldest functioning Hindu temple in the region. Unlike most Hindu temples which are run by people of Tamil ancestry, this temple is one of the few existing Chitty temples in Malaysia. It was built by a local Chitty leader after the Dutch colonial government gave him a plot of land back in 1781. Dedicated to the remover of obstacles, Ganesha, this temple is located on Jalan Tukang Emas, which is famously known as Harmony Street because it also houses a mosque and Chinese temple. There are another two Chitty temples located in the local Chitty village.

Traditional South Indian sense of style assimilated with local Malay and Javanese architecture. 

The simple interior of the temple. 

3) Tebrau Glass Temple

Also known as the Arulmigu Sri Ranakaliamman temple, this house of worship is the first to be listed in the Malaysian Book of Records as the first and only glass temple in the nation on May 12, 2010. It was rebuilt as a glass temple after its guru was inspired by a glass Thai temple he visited in Bangkok. He believed a temple of glass could capture the attention of believers from a vast distance and attract them to come and perform their prayers. After its major renovation, it has become one of the state of Johor's major tourist attractions.

The old exterior facade is still well-preserved. 

Since Hinduism is a religion of tolerance that accepts worship to images of God according to other faiths, idols of Buddha and Jesus can be found alongside those of Hindu deities. 

4) Maran Murugan Temple 

Another temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, this temple's actual name is the Sri Marathandavar Bala Dhandayuthapani Alayam. Its mystical origins continue to baffle both devotees and tourists alike as till today, some visitors still experience miracles here. Nearly 120 years ago, construction of the road from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan was in progress here. When a large tree was being chopped, it started to bleed. Suddenly, one of the South Indian migrant workers went into a trance and warned against chopping down the tree and that the road could be built a shorter distance away. The British supervisor scoffed off these as nonsense and wanted to continue with the original plan. Not too long after that incident, something miraculous happened. The figure of a child appeared on the tree trunk. The British supervisor was shocked and finally acknowledged that there was indeed some higher divine power at work here. Once the road was laid away from the tree, The area became sacred to the local Hindu immigrant community. The temple was finally built here. Today, it features a lavish architecture and is painted in a striking gold. Despite the renovation process, the sacred tree is still standing tall within the temple's main prayer hall.

5) Klang Perumal Temple

Also known as the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, this 117-year-old temple is located in Klang, Selangor. It is often referred to as the Thirupathi of Southeast Asia after its famous namesake in India since it is one of the oldest and largest Vaishnavite temple in the region. The temple is dedicated to Perumal, or Thirumaal as he is also known, a popularly worshiped avatar of Lord Vishnu by South Indians. The temple's Gopuram is one of the city's most famous landmarks as it features many sculpurtures and carvings of deities from different epics. The temple is very close to the city's Little India. The temple became the first Hindu shrine to receive an International Organisation for Standards (ISO) award for its quality sustained contribution in religions, cultural and social service to the local community.

The temple all bright and shiny one night before a grand festival celebration. 

The iconic Gopuram tower. 

6) Sri Kandaswamy Kovil, Brickfields

The reason this temple showcases rich Sri Lankan architecture and not South Indian like most other temples is because it is one of the country's most prominent Ceylonese Tamil temples. The reason the rituals here are followed rigidly according to the rules of the Saiva Agama Scriptures is because the temple itself is over a century old. Even videography and photography are prohibited inside its premises. Located along Jalan Scott, Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur, the temple is one of the city's most beautiful and is often featured on postcards.

Authentic Sri Lankan Tamil architecture. 

The Gopuram tower. 

7) Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur 

Another century-old Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, this temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess Amman features the ornate Raja Gopuram tower which is built in the style of South Indian temples. Founded in 1873, this temple was one of the earliest places of worship for early Hindu immigrants and is now one of the country's most important cultural and national heritage.

South Indian at the middle, neo-classical at the sides. 

Like other major cultural and religious landmarks in the capital, the temple is brightly lit at night. 

Inside the temple compound. 

The main prayer hall. 

8) Waterfall Temple, Penang

Built at the cost of RM10 million, this is the largest Murugan temple outside India. This is Penang's answer to the Klang Valley's Batu Caves. Officially known as the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, it is more famously known as the Penang Waterfall Temple because is located close to a waterfall. The temple project started some 10 years ago when Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) deemed that the original Murugan temple sitting on the hill below the new structure was not big enough to accommodate the rapidly increasingly growing Hindu population and the huge crowd of devotees during major Hindu festivals, particularly Thaipusam. The majestic seven-storey 21.6m-tall main tower was built by craftsmen from India. Over 500 steps, lead from the foothill to its 20,000 square foot hall. Almost a hundred Hindu priests from the six main temples dedicated to Lord Muruga in India and the Parisada Hindu Dharma from Bali took part in the temple's consecration ceremony.

The main entrance right below the Gopuram. 

The temple from the foot of the hill. 

9) Sri Ayyanar Temple, Taiping 

Located in the midst of rubber and oil palm estates of the outskirts of the fast developing Perakian town of Taiping, this temple is dedicated to the Tamil village deity Sri Ayyanar. Its humble beginnings starts when a middle-aged Indian migrant from Madurai named Periamma built a small shrine for Sri Ayyanar below a tree. She built the deity's idol by using a handful of sand which she brought from her village mixed with clay. The idol is still well preserved till today. The elderly Periamma soon lead the local Hindu migrants in their worship during holy festivities.  An English colonial officer did not approve of this gatherings, probably as he wanted the tree that housed the modest idol to be removed for future projects. On that same night, the Englishman dreamed that milk sprang out of the tree he planned to remove. The next day, he found that his dream had come true. Accepting that there was indeed some kind of divine intervention at work here, he granted his permission for the tree to be kept, and the religious gatherings to be continued. Today, the temple is most famous for its 72 feet tall statue of Sri Ayyanar. 

10) Batu Gajah Amman Temple 

Another temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess, this temple's simple architecture might not strike you as being one of the most beautiful and famous in Malaysia. But it is most famous for its rich history. Located close to the famous Kellie's Castle, this temple's construction was funded by none other then Kellie Smith himself. Legend has it that Kellie longed for a son. One of the South Indian migrant workers advised him to pray to the Hindu Mother Goddess, Amman. Smith joined a special prayer function held by the workers. This was of course done in secret as it would have caused quite a stir as it would have badly affected his image as a good Christian Victorian gentleman. Soon, his wife Agnes conceived and gave birth to his son, Anthony. Kellie had always been fascinated by the Hindu religion and exotic India. He then built a temple for the Mother Goddess to show his appreciation. The local Hindu community were thankful to him that they built a statue of Smith alongside the statues of the deities at the entrance to the temple. There has been reports of the existence of two tunnels that run under the river near Kellie's unfinished castle. One of these tunnels is said to connect the castle to the Hindu temple some distance away. Many descendants of the South Indian Hindu labourers brought over to the Malay Peninsular to work on the castle still live nearby till today and the temple remains a prayer house and a place of gathering for them.

The temple, as seen from the highway. 

The simple Gopuram. 

Kellie Smith's statue among the other statues. 

My Rant on my new TESL module, why Tamil is a national language in Singapore and not Malaysia, why I cannot speak Tamil properly, and why English is my primary language

Today was my first lecture for a new module called Language, Education and Development. The whole premise of the module seems interesting, but what's scary is the assessment is 100% exam-based.... and I am no good at memorising things. I need to get a hand on on stuff and apply them, at least in an essay form, which is why I prefer assignments, not that I'm any better at them. But it is my final year and I have been told I've been making steady progress. So God willing, I will do well.

So back to the module. I learned some interesting key terminology relating to the module today. They include the different languages we acquire and how they are of use to us. For instance, I know Malay, English, Tamil and some Indonesian, but they are all of different purpose to me. This gives them different names in my context. 

So I will be classifying the different languages I know according to the various terminologies I learned today.

1) First language/mother tongue/native tongue 

This is the language a person acquires in their early years. Apart from my parents, I was also raised by my grandparents. They spoke to me in Tamil all the time. And I suppose that is only appropriate since the ethnic group I belong to is called Tamil as well, which is an Indo-European group native of South India and norther Sri Lanka. But I still wonder, does first language, mother tongue and native tongue all mean the same thing? Hopefully we will learn more about that through the module. 

2) National language 

This is a language which functions as the main language of a country. Since the majority of Malaysians comprises of the Malay ethnic group, it seems only appropriate that Malay is our national language. However, down in Singapore, they have four national languages, which is English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. I suppose that is only fair since Chinese make up the city state's majority, while the Malays are its natives, and the Tamil-speaking Indians would feel left out since they are one of the largest minorities. Nevertheless, the governments of both countries provide schools for all these major languages. 

3) Official language

This is a language, or languages which by law must be used in government, law, education and other similar institutions in particular country. In Malaysia, the national language, Malay is the official language. Following independence, Malay gradually replaced the role of English as the country's official language. I suppose it is a question of pride and national identity that we should have one of our own languages as the official language. 

4) Pidgin

This is a language which has arisen as the result of contact between people of different languages, usually formed from a mixing of the languages. My closest encounter to a pidgin would be the Bazaar Malay, or more commonly known as Bahasa Pasar or Bahasa Rojak. The contact between the different ethnic groups living in the country has resulted in Bazaar Malay. There are many general simplifications that occur within this pidgin. I would dare say I use this language more than any other language in my daily life. 

6) Indigenous language 

This is a language of people considered to be the original inhabitants of an area. In Malaysia, apart from the official/national language of Malay, there are many other spoken languages that we might consider to be indigenous to the land. In West Malaysia for instance, some Malays still speak Javanese, Bugis and Minangkabau. In East Malaysia, the each Dayak ethnic group has its own language, with Iban and Kadazan being the most prominent. 

7) Second language

This is a language which is used habitually by people whose mother tongues are different in order to facilitate communications between them. This means, English is the second language only to the Malays of Malaysia. For the rest of us, it is a third, or perhaps even a fourth language. This is because we speak Chinese, Tamil, Iban or Kadazan at home. But at school or at work, we speak mostly Malay. Or could I be wrong? Or is it possible to have two second languages? I'm interested to know more about this in the module.

8) Vernacular language

Also known as minority language, this is a language which is the mother tongue of a group which is socially or politically dominated by another group speaking a different language. In  Malaysia, that would be the Chinese and Indians languages. But still, we have vernacular schools that cater for those who speak in these languages. Also, there are various TV shows and radio channels that are in these languages. Most signboards   are also in vernacular languages. So, it is very much like Singapore, only without the national language status. This makes sense since vernacular languages don't function as Malaysia's main language. I'm not sure how it is in Singapore though. 

9) Home language

This is a language most often used within a speaker's household. Growing up in an Indian-Sri Lankan family, my Tamil was only limited to being used when speaking to my Tamil-speaking grandparents. My parents had always spoken to me in English for as far as I remember, though they pretend they never did whenever their friends and relatives ask them why my Tamil is horrible. So I suppose English is, and has always been my home language. 

10) Primary language 

This is a language which a speaker uses most often and which they regard as their main language. What can I say; having grown up in a predominantly English-speaking household, having studied in a fairly urban school and now, pursuing a degree in teaching English, I suppose English is my primary language.  

Having reflected on what I've learned today, I suppose the main reason why I'm so interested in this topic is because I get to know myself a little more, and also the socio-political geography of my country. I'm most definitely looking forward to learning more in this module. =)

Will and Kate: The Malaysian Tour

The day Malaysian well-wishers of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has finally arrived. The royal couple was in Malaysian on a three-day visit to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 

After landing in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at noon of 13th of September, William and Kate were taken to Putrajaya to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib at the his official residence in the Seri Perdana. 

A display of Malaysian fruits including durians, dragon fruits, cempedaks, guavas and jackfruits presented before the Duke and Duchess.

"Wow, I love unusual fruit!" Kate was heard saying.

William would later cheekily comment he was thankful durians were not on the menu.

William and Kate visited Hospis Malaysia which is a charity body that care for patients with life-limiting decease. The Duchess sat down with 15 –year-old Zakwan Anuar, a boy with acute leukemia. He postponed an urgent blood transfusion because he wanted to meet the Duke and Duchess so badly, enduring lots of pain in the way. Since his birthday was only two days ago, Kate presented him with a card, and they also made some craftworks together. The boy’s mother reported he was happier than usual. 

Prince William was seated on another table as he mingled with some other children there. Though they seemed shy at first to have a prince come talk to him, they finally opened up to his friendliness and warmth. 

Kate also gave her very first speech in foreign soil where she praised Hospis Malaysia’s great work. This was also her second public address, which showed how strongly she felt on the importance of hospices. She herself is the patron of various hospices. 

Later that day, the Duke and Duchess attended the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. In his speech, William praised Malaysian businessmen and businesswomen for investing in the UK's open and growing economy. He was also pleased to see more people here with British qualifications than any other part of the world.

“My grandmother told me that Malaysia would provide us with some wonderful experiences and unforgettable memories. And so indeed it has proved. The Queen has asked me to convey to the Malaysian people her deepest good wishes in this, her Diamond Jubilee Year. Thank you for this lunch, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for welcoming us to Malaysia,” said the Prince.

The royal couple then had an audience with the Agong or the Head of State, His Royal Majesty Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and his wife, Tuanku Hajah Haminah at a grand royal banquet held at the newly built National Palace. Kate once again captured the spotlight with her white Alexander McQueen dress with embroidered golden hibiscus patterns, which is the Malaysian national flower. The dress was short sleeved and floor-length, in line with the palace protocol. The royal couple was amazed by the luxurious palace, with Kate admiring the large chandeliers. 

Netizens would later go crazy over how elegant Kate looks in her gown, even comparing her to a Disney princess! 

The Agong presented William with a traditional gold encrusted Malay kris and a photograph collage of the Queen’s friendship with Malaysian monarchs across the years. 

The kris

The collage of photographs. 

As for Kate, she was given a pair of black designer lace peer toe shoes, a clutch bag and a traditional Batik dress. 

The Batik dress

The designer shoes

As the royals dined, they were entertained with some traditional performances by the royal dancers

The following day, I had a chance to see the royal couple at the grand cultural walkabout at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park where they were greeted by an overwhelmingly large crowd of Malaysians from all walks of life. People were waving the Jalur Gemilang and the Union Jack, and some even made banners to express their love for the Duke and Duchess. Cultural dances from different Malaysian ethnic groups were performed before the royal couple and the crowd.

Earlier that day, some controversial photos of the royal duchess was published by a trashy French magazine. Though the couple was reported to have reacted with disbelief and anger, they were successfully cheered up that day thanks to everything that was planned specially for them. 

The Duke and Duchess were delighted to watch the colourful performances

Over 3000 Malaysians and expats from all walks of life came to catch a glimpse of their Royal Highnesses.

Many of those who came, like these preschoolers, made banners to show their love and appreciation for the royal couple.

The iconic Petronas Twin Towers at the background. 

William and Kate were taken straight to the Assayrikin Mosque which is located withing the park itself.

Kate wore a simple shawl over her head in reverence. She and her husband also took off their footwear before entering the prayer house.  

The head division development manager of the mosque gave the Duke and Duchess a tour around Malaysia's biggest mosque. 

The manager explains to the royal visitors the meaning behind taking ablotution as they watch a few devotees . 

Later that day, William and Kate tried the Malaysian traditional tea, the teh tarik at a tea party hosted by the British High Commissioner Simon Featherstone. The royal couple even got to watch a live demonstration. Around 160 Malaysian public figures.

The Duke and Duchess enjoying a cup of local BOH tea. 

William and Kate watching a live demonstration on the process of making teh tarik.

With Malaysian Bond girl Datuk Michelle Yeoh

With Malaysia's number one recording artiste and businesswoman Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.

With Malaysian Olumpian medalists Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Pandalela.

For their last stop before leaving Malaysia, William and Kate flew all the way from the capital to the state of Sabah in Borneo to visit the Danum Valley Conservation Area. While Kate is a hospice enthusiast, William is keener in conserving nature. In order to reach there, they had to walk through a thick rain forest. The centre is run by the Royal Society, to which the Duke is a member of.

The warm and damp weather did not stop the Duke and Duchess from enjoying the scenic view the rain forests of Borneo had to offer.

The conservation area is a good 43 miles from the nearest town, Lahad Datu. But that did not stop the Duchess from enjoying what the rain forest had to offer.

Looking down below from one of the rain forest's hanging bridges.

Enjoying abseiling.

In conjunction with the Duke and Duchess' visit, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, two very special stamps were released by Pos Malaysia. One featured Will and Kate, while the other was a stamp-on-a-stamp type with a young Queen Elizabeth II. I managed to buy the stamps, but unfortunately my local post office were out of first day covers, which was kind of sad. My parents were very optimistic that Taiping folks don't appreciate collector items and they will be plenty for us to buy. Too bad they were wrong. 

The Diamond Jubilee stamps and the first day cover by Pos Malaysia

The Commonwealth is huge, and the fact that the Duke and Duchess chose to visit Malaysia is indeed a great honour and I am pretty sure those behind the events organised for them did a magnificent job. Hopefully it has strengthened the diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

NTV7 also had a documentary made following the royal couple's Malaysian tour.

The Most Beautiful Romantic Scene in Indian Cinema

Well at least to me. So it does not necessarily have to be true. But if you disagree, feel free to point out any flaws here. Now if you’re a fan of romantic Indian dramas, then you can easily guess from which movie this scene comes from. If you’re a true romantic, then you’d probably got it right. It’s from Gautham Menon’s modern classic Vinaithandi Varuvaaya (Will She Cross The Skies). 

As for the scene, it just has to be the one towards the climax, where Karthik (Simbu) and Jessie (Trisha) bump into one another in New York after a bitter break up three years ago in Chennai. Both assume the other one has moved on with his or her life. So the conversation starts of pretty casual with Jessie doing most of the talking, asking how Karthik’s family is back home and all. For the first time between them, Karthik is the more silent one. The only background score at this point is silence. 

But as Jessie starts to ask more intimate questions about Karthik’s love life, we feel certain awkwardness in the scene, which is in contrast with the bright spring sun shining upon Central Park. This is where Rahman comes in. He provides little strums of his guitar to show to rising tension in the conversation taking place. 

Jessie, being the indecisive tweak she is, asks Karthik to describe the new girl in his life. Obviously, we know she is secretly hoping he hasn’t moved on so they can get back together. But he starts describing this so-called new girl of his, not realising the sudden change on her face. Gautham Menon leads us into thinking that Karthik is describing Nandhini (Samantha). But it all just doesn’t seem to fit. Karthik says she wears sarees a lot, but we were never got to see Nandhini wearing one. But his description does fit another girl the audience is familiar with. Then Gautham drops the bomb; “Padam paakka avalukku pidikkadhu (She does not like watching movies).” 

Welcome back Rahman! The Hosanna melody starts playing at the background. Jessie realises at the same time as us that Karthik has been describing her all along. Now if you’re a Rahmaniac like me, then you will totally relate to me when I say at this point, I fell love with the Mozart of Madras all over again! It just reminded me how I grew up listening to his background score in all these famous Tamil romantic films like Jeans, Alaipayuthey, Bombay, Kandukondain Kandukondain, Kadhal Desam, Kadhalar Dhinam, Minsaru Kanavu, Duet, May Madham and so much more. The background music from all these films still haunts me till this very day.

"Avvw perre Jessie, Jessie..." I cheered like one of those rowdies at the cinema. But it was okay since I was watching the film on DVD on my laptop alone in my room -  the best way to enjoy a romantic film.   

But back to the present. When Karthik says that he thinks Jessie is already married, Rahman provides a shocking tense-rising drum twang. This of course mirrors the shocked look on Jessie’s face. She then says, “Naa kalyanam paneekele, Karthik. (I didn’t get married, Karthik.). Once again, there is no background music, as if Gautham and Rahman are giving us time to process the truth. Jessie continues, “Unnai venna soluthu ponne. Adhu unmei dhan. Anna naa kalyanam paneekele.” 

And once the surprise has sunken in, there is Megha’s angelic humming at the background. It starts with Hosanna's melody and ends with parts of Manipaaya. No instrumentals, just the soothing sound of her humming, as if to cure the pain Karthik had to endure all this time thinking he had lost Jessie. Then that one teardrop falls from Karthik’s eye. 

Never had the Tamil audience seen such poetry manifest itself on screen in years. 

But Karthik is enraged, having realised that what he had to go through all this time was for nothing. We sense the tension rising with Rahman’s guitar work playing along. As Jessie prepares to leave, he stops her and immediately proposes. There is a hint of humour when Karthik says that she would blame him one day for not proposing right now since the moment had gone. Well, that’s exactly what she had been doing most of the time throughout the film. 

And she says yes. The cymbals signify the turn of events. Then the guitar returns along with the piano, and the most romantic background score is player, not sentimental this time, but more of a rejoicing tonne. Karthik and Jessie embrace, and since they are in New York and not Chennai, they share a passionate kiss. 

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is, in my head, the most beautiful ROMANTIC scene in the history of Indian cinema to date.