The Star, Wednesday, 13 January 2016
The temple has been renovated many times over the years. 2 A photo of the side of the temple taken in the 1950s.
ONE of the
main landmarks in Kajang is turning a century old and its management is
putting the final touches to celebrate the auspicious day on a grand
scale.
About 3,000 devotees are expected to throng Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple in Jalan Reko on Saturday to participate and witness the centennial celebration.
Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple Kajang honorary secretary Amara Karan Karthigasu said although some claimed that the temple had existed for more than 100 years, the century mark was derived from the first record of the temple’s existence.
“We are still trying to trace the roots of the temple, which was started by five men in the early 1900s identified as Thambipillay Sinnathamby, Thamboo Valupillai, Karuppiah Pillay Ramasamy Pillai, Saminathan Muthiah and Letchumanan Chettiar Narayanan Chettiar.
“These men played a big role in securing the temple grounds. We have
prospered not only as a temple but also as a base for social and
community activities for the people in Kajang,” he said.
Amaran said the celebration would kick off on Thursday leading up to the main event on Saturday at 7am.
“A temporary structure for the main pooja (prayer) is being constructed at the temple’s entrance where the kalasam (pots) will be arranged and the homam (ritual in which offerings are made into a consecrated fire) is done.
“During the pooja, a human chain will be formed from the pooja area, where the kalasam filled with holy water infused with herbs will be passed into the temple where it will be poured on Lord Murugan.
“We are inviting donors to give any amount as contribution to the expenses on the day. Those who donate RM25 will be entitled to take home one of the 1,008 kalasam, while those who donate RM500 will be given a gold coin. The kalasam and gold coin are engraved with the name of the temple and its 100-year anniversary.
“We only get to witness a temple turning 100 years old once in a lifetime. It is a privilege and I hope many will take this opportunity to visit the temple on the day. The ceremony will end by noon and there will be a vegetarian lunch served to all,” he said.
Apart from religious activities, the temple also conducts cultural and educational programmes.
“We collaborate with Educational, Welfare, and Research Foundation Malaysia (EWRF) to organise two youth camps a year during the school holidays.
“The mid-year camp is more exam-oriented while the year-end camp emphasises faith and motivation.
“We also started a preschool for children aged between four and six inside our temple grounds with support from the Malaysian Hindu Sangam.
“We have two classrooms, with three teachers teaching 38 students. We can take in 10 more students and the fee is RM50 per month. The less privileged will be subsidised,” he said.
For details about prayers and services, call 03-8733 1793.
About 3,000 devotees are expected to throng Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple in Jalan Reko on Saturday to participate and witness the centennial celebration.
Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple Kajang honorary secretary Amara Karan Karthigasu said although some claimed that the temple had existed for more than 100 years, the century mark was derived from the first record of the temple’s existence.
“We are still trying to trace the roots of the temple, which was started by five men in the early 1900s identified as Thambipillay Sinnathamby, Thamboo Valupillai, Karuppiah Pillay Ramasamy Pillai, Saminathan Muthiah and Letchumanan Chettiar Narayanan Chettiar.
Amaran said the celebration would kick off on Thursday leading up to the main event on Saturday at 7am.
The temple has been renovated many times over the years.
“During the pooja, a human chain will be formed from the pooja area, where the kalasam filled with holy water infused with herbs will be passed into the temple where it will be poured on Lord Murugan.
“We are inviting donors to give any amount as contribution to the expenses on the day. Those who donate RM25 will be entitled to take home one of the 1,008 kalasam, while those who donate RM500 will be given a gold coin. The kalasam and gold coin are engraved with the name of the temple and its 100-year anniversary.
“We only get to witness a temple turning 100 years old once in a lifetime. It is a privilege and I hope many will take this opportunity to visit the temple on the day. The ceremony will end by noon and there will be a vegetarian lunch served to all,” he said.
Apart from religious activities, the temple also conducts cultural and educational programmes.
“We collaborate with Educational, Welfare, and Research Foundation Malaysia (EWRF) to organise two youth camps a year during the school holidays.
“The mid-year camp is more exam-oriented while the year-end camp emphasises faith and motivation.
“We also started a preschool for children aged between four and six inside our temple grounds with support from the Malaysian Hindu Sangam.
“We have two classrooms, with three teachers teaching 38 students. We can take in 10 more students and the fee is RM50 per month. The less privileged will be subsidised,” he said.
For details about prayers and services, call 03-8733 1793.
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