Places of Worship & Devotion

Lu Sze Tao Cultural Chamber, Thian Eng Si Sibu

2011-09-05T10:58:00.002+08:00

From Lu Sze Tao Cultural Chamber, Thian Eng Si Sibu

A cultural center for the three teachings, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The center is part of the great Thian Eng Si Sibu.

From Lu Sze Tao Cultural Chamber, Thian Eng Si Sibu

Tann Hua Foo, Sibu

2011-09-04T13:54:00.005+08:00

From Tann Hua Foo, Sibu

Tann Hua Foo Sibu is situated in the town center of Sibu, among the various churches of this Christian town. The monastery is said to be initiated long before the Eng Ang Teng (Tua Pek Kong Sibu).

The current new monastery was named Guan Yin Chamber temporary during the construction, as the old temple was still operating, since there could not be two 'Tann Hua Foo' in one place. The name, 'Guan Yin Chamber', remains after that.

From Tann Hua Foo, Sibu

There are few similar places of Tann Hua Foo in the outskirts of Sibu, such as Tann Hua Foo Sarikei; many of those were said to be (branch off) from here, Sibu.

Tann Hua Foo or similar places of worship are found only in Central Sarawak where most of the Hockchew live, as the host deity is originated from China Hockchew (Fuzhou) province.

Tze Yin Khor, Sebuyau

2011-09-03T11:23:00.007+08:00

From Tze Yin Khor, Sebuyau

Sebuyau, a small coastal town resided between the Batang Lupar and Sungai Sebuyau; the small Sungai Sebuyau flows past Sebuyau directly to the South China Sea just at the Batang Lupar river mouth where the town is situated. This small fishing town is famous for the Ikan Terubuk, which is in high demand both locally and the West Malaysian market.

Tze Yin Khor is situated near the Sebuyau river mouth; Tze Yin Khor Sebuyau shares the same host deities with Tze Yin Khor Sri Aman and Tze Yin Khor Lubok Antu, both are at the upstream of the Batang Lupar. The Main Host, Tze Pei Niang Niang, and two other host deities, Lord Hock Teck, or Tua Pek Kong. and Xuan Tian Shang Ti (玄天上帝; Heavenly Emperor).

From Tze Yin Khor, Sebuyau

There are over 10,000 villagers in Sebayau, of whom two-thirds are fishermen living near the Sebuyau river. The Chinese, mostly Teochew, live near the town central, as grocery shops operators or businessmen.

From Tze Yin Khor, Sebuyau

Sri Maha Marimamman - A Meaningful Restoration

2011-06-15T12:27:00.005+08:00

By Joanna Yap, The Borneo Post, April 24, 2011...

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

FROM June 3 to 5, all eyes will be on the few thousand strong community of Hindu believers in Sarawak as they celebrate a most significant occasion – the Maha Kumba Ahbi Segam (or Most Holy Consecration Ceremony) of the Mount Matang Sri Maha Marimamman temple.

Sasindran Nair, chairman of the temple as well as vice president of the Hindu Temple Association of Kuching, has been busy fielding enquiries from as far as West Malaysia from people interested to attend and participate in the event.
Not only will the ceremony herald the restoration of an important place of worship for the local Hindu community but also the return of an important piece of the state’s history.

Humble beginnings
Standing majestically on the slopes of Mt Matang with a beautiful panoramic view of the plains and jungle below, the approximately 150-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman temple is the earliest known Hindu temple in Sarawak.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

The temple was built in the 1860s by tea plantation workers from India and Sri Lanka during the rule of Sir Charles Brooke, the Second White Rajah of Sarawak.
It is thought to be the only Hindu temple in Southeast Asia, dedicated to the goddess Sri Maha Mariamman which is built of belian (ironwood).
During the plantation’s peak, there were about 1,000 ethnic Indians working there, making this the first known major Indian settlement in Sarawak.

The plantation closed down for unknown reasons in 1912 and workers were given a choice of moving to Kuching or returning to their homelands. Many opted for the latter option but about 100 to 200 of them decided to stay in Sarawak and adopt it as their new home.

People forgot about the temple’s existence over the next 50 years until it wasrediscovered by chance – some would say by divine fate – in 1967.
A villager from a nearby Javanese-Melanau village stumbled across the structure during a hunting excursion. He managed to send word of the find to the Indian community in Kuching who quickly made their way to the site.

The dismal sight which greeted their eyes was of a building covered in jungle creepers, run down from decades of neglect and unchecked exposure to the unrelenting forces of nature.

Sasindran recalled there were even trees growing through the roof.
The close-knit community set about restoring the temple as best as they could, removing jungle over-and undergrowth, from in and around the building and clearing the path leading to the temple.

From Sri Maha Mariamman

The first restoration started around 1970 followed by additional minor work in the late 1980s which involved cement being airlifted into the area.
However, it was only in 2007 when the current restoration works started. It is the most extensive effort to date, involving the construction of two shrines and reworking of most, if not all, of the existing temple structure and its compound.
Even though most of the old temple structure has been replaced, the extensive use of belian wood, a central feature of the old temple, has been incorporated into the new structure.

The temple restoration committee managed to secure approval from the Forestry Department to chop down four belian trees to build the temple.
Craftsmen from India were brought in to carve intricate patterns on belian doors, walls, pillars and furnishings of the temple and fashion statues and motifs bearing elaborate details.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

Four years later, the restoration and reconstruction work is almost complete.
Sasindran is confident they are on schedule to finish by mid-May as only minor details and painting remain to be done.
For the time being, there is a makeshift temple on site for pilgrims and devotees to worship. The temple also hosts relics recovered from the old temple, including bronze and wooden religious artefacts.

From the foothills

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

It takes roughly an hour of walking at a moderate pace along the rough but scenic 3km path to reach the main temple site from the base of the mountain.
The current restoration also includes the construction of two shrines which visitors and pilgrims will pass by on the way up the mountain to the main temple site. All materials to build the temple and the two shrines were sourced locally.
The first shrine is the Sri Munisperan Shrine at the foothills of Mt Matang. It will host the guardian deity of the same name.

Sasindra said this site will also have a small shrine for the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha as Hindus believe he is the first god they should pay their respects to before beginning a trip or pilgrimage.

The shrine costs between RM70,000 and RM80,000 to construct with a significant portion coming from a single donor.
According to Sasindran, the donation was made by a local Chinese businessman as a token of his gratitude after experiencing much good luck following a visit to the Sri Maha Mariamman temple.

Other donations were also received in the form of construction materials, including tiles from a local corporation.

The second shrine which will host the guardian deity Jada Munir, lies about 2km up the mountain side, in a small, picturesque clearing ringed by towering trees.
The only movement to be seen is a handwritten “No Entry” sign swaying gently in the warm afternoon breeze as it hangs on a branch between two pillars.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

Even though painting work has yet to start, the sculpted works on the temple’s walls and pillars give passers-by enough reason to stop and admire the meticulous details.
Running parallel past the temple, a small earthen path leads to Vallembrosa, a bungalow retreat, built by Charles Brooke and his wife within the tea estate.
According to Sasindran, only an outline of where the bungalow structure used to stand can be seen now as the rest of the building has disintegrated away.

Sasindran explained that a Hindu temple must perform the Maha Kumba Ahbi Segam ceremony once every 12 years as it is believed to help re-energise the temple.
The ceremony is expected to be a large affair with more than 500 local Hindu devotees expected to attend and a number of devotees from West Malaysia already confirming their attendance.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

For the ceremony, the committee plans to bring in a team of Brahmin cooks, 11 priests and seven musicians
The ceremony and temple restoration committees as well as a host of volunteers and devotees have worked tirelessly over the years to make this temple a source of pride for the local Hindu and Indian communities.

Among the many unique features of the temple will be a custom-made wooden chariot weighing about 3.5 tonnes (without the base) which will be used to carry a bronze statue of the goddess Sri Maha Marimamman during religious processions.
The project to create the chariot was initiated by one of the advisors for the temple and managed to be realised with the support of the temple’s Indian and Chinese devotees.

This is just one of many examples how the generosity of devotees, well-wishers and other members of the public have helped bring about the restoration of one of Sarawak’s most historical sites.
Sasindran believes once the temple is completed it will become a prominent historical and tourism attraction for Sarawak.

The climax of the Maha Kumba Ahbi Segam will take place on the third and final day when the various deities are installed in their respective places.
“According to Hindu beliefs, one of the greatest blessings one can get is to attend a Kumba Segam ceremony,” Sasindran explained.
“Because not everyone will have the opportunity to attend, people will try to attend as many as they can in their lifetime.

“When they start installing all the deities, they’ll start sprinkling the holy water, and if you are also sprinkled with the water, you will be blessed.”
The grand consecration ceremony will be followed by the Mandalaya Ahbi Segam or 48 days of continuous prayers, complete with temple musicians. Individual devotees or groups can choose to sponsor each day of prayer for RM1,100 per day.

Much more required
Despite how far the temple’s restoration has come, much work remains to be done – all of which requires a huge amount of financial commitment.
Future expansion plans for the temple site include improving the visitors’ lodge, constructing a small library and building a meditation centre which will be open to everyone with no restrictions on religion.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

Sasindran said rather than focus on ritual practices, the overall objective in mind is to provide an environment for wholesome spiritual development.
The condition of the road leading to the temple also needs attention as it is quite narrow and passes quite close to the edge of the mountain in places.
But for now, restoration of the main temple structure and its immediate compound is the main priority.

So far, RM550,000 has been collected and spent on the restoration but Sasindran estimates about RM200,000 is still needed to complete various works as well as to help offset the costs of the grand consecration ceremony.
Even though restoration work is on-going, the temple has already drawn hundreds of visitors, well-wishers as well as Hindu devotees because of its cultural, religious and historical significance.

The surrounding jungle and mountain landscape add to the uniqueness of the overall experience as much as the one-of-a-kind hardwood carvings, sculptures and statues which decorate the temple and should be preserved in their natural states as much as possible.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

Thus, any construction or clearing work to be done should include measures to protect the surrounding natural environment.
Among various options to develop and promote the site are working with the Forestry Department, Tourism Ministry, and the Museum Department but so far, nothing concrete has materialised.
For the time being, all eyes will be on the Sri Maha Mariamman temple and the temple committee is determined to ensure that the Maha Kumba Ahbi Segam goes without a hitch.

Members of the public interested in finding out more about the temple and the upcoming ceremony can contact Sasindran Nair on his handphone (019-888 1837).

Sri Maha Marimamman - The Revival Of The Lost Temple

2011-06-14T22:08:00.003+08:00

Extracts from The New Straits Times...

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

KUCHING: It may not have the grandeur of Batu Caves Temple complex in Selangor, but Mount Matang Sri Mahamariamman Temple complex can lay claim to be the first Hindu temple built in Sarawak.
Located at the foothills of Mount Matang, the temple complex is also fascinating as it is made entirely of wood.

Although it is only about 45km from here, one needs to spend about 45 minutes hiking up the hill.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

The temple was originally built by Indian workers who were brought here to work on the coffee plantation run by the state government back in 1867, and later with Rajah Charles Brooke, who took over and switched to tea in 1897.
"The Indian workers brought a bronze deity when they arrived here but it was transferred to a temple in Batu Lintang when the tea estate was closed in 1912 due to poor harvest.

"The temple was abandoned for 55 years until it was rediscovered by a local villager who was hunting nearby,"said penghulu T. Komarusamy, in his 60s.

The title penghulu, or headman, was given to Komarusamy by the state government in recognition of his services to the 2,000-strong Indian community in Sarawak.

The temple was revived and consecrated in the 1980s.

Three years ago, a massive renovation costing RM500,000 was carried out, using wood harvested from the nearby forest.

Not far from the temple site are the remains of Brooke's bungalow, Valembrosa.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

A consecration of the temple was held yesterday, witnessed by Works Deputy Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng and the grandson of the second white Rajah Charles Brooke, James Vyner Brooke, 68, who came all the way from England.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Matang - 2011

"I am amazed and proud to be a part of Sarawak's diverse history.

"And I am also proud to know that the local communities here still appreciate what my grandfather and my great grandfather had done for Sarawak."

By Dennis Wong
dennis@nst.com.my
2011 June 06

Sri Maha Mariamman - The Lost Temple of Matang

2010-11-23T12:43:00.009+08:00

From Sri Maha Mariamman

Extracts from The Borneo Post...

"Sri Maha Mariamman Temple – The Lost Temple of Matang

THE Sri Maha Mariamman (goddess of Mercy) temple, 1000 feet up the slope of the Matang mountain in the Kuching district was ‘lost’ for more than 50 years before it was discovered accidentally by a hunter back in the mid 1960s.

From Sri Maha Mariamman

It was said the hunter Abi bin Bengggali, stumbled upon an abandoned building on the slope of the mountain while searching for game. Intrigued, he explored the interior of the sturdy building made of belian which despite the ravage of time was still largely intact.

Inside, he discovered relics of what was clearly a Hindu temple and taking fancy of a carved wooden elephant, he took it home. It proved to be a traumatic mistake for that night his house shook violently and in his sleep Abi dreamt that he must return the statue to the temple.

Needless to say the hunter lost no time returning the statue to the temple and his strange adventure became the talk of the village. When it spread to the ears of Hindus in Kuching the mystery of the abandoned temple was quickly unraveled.

The temple was built by Indian and Ceylonese (Sri Lankans) workers recruited by the second White Rajah Charles Brooke to tend his tea and coffee plantation on the slope of the mountain.

From Sri Maha Mariamman

Some of the Indian elders in the 1960s still remembered their childhood spent in the plantation and vividly recalled their parents telling them how the workers, who arrived in 1867, using simple tools, built the temple dedicated to Sri Maha Mariamman from belian taken from the surrounding jungle.

When the temple was completed they invited a priest from India to consecrate it, possibly two or three years after their arrival. At its height, the 600 acre plantation employed more than 1000 workers who were housed in barracks nearby.

The workers were oppressed by the canganees (foremen) and managers and were poorly paid. Most of them were Hindus and to practise their religion they first built a shrine near a mountain stream. When they were more settled they set about erecting the temple which like in any Hindu community became the centre of their social and religious activities.

The Sri Maha Mariamman temple was not the only place of worship built by the workers as they also built another temple for the deity Subramaniam. Some of the workers were Catholics and they built a chapel in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These two buildings have not been located. After more than 150 years they are likely to be permanently lost to the jungle.

Due to poor management, the plantation was closed down in 1912 and the workers were given a choice to move down to Kuching to work in road construction or go back to India.

Perhaps of their bitter experience in the plantation most of the workers decided to go back to India and only 40 or 50 families decided to stay back. When they left the plantation those who chose to stay behind took the bronze statue of the deity Maha Sri Maha Mariamman with them to shrine near the Sarawak Club in Kuching.

Later they moved it to a small temple built along Batu Lintang Road. Much later a big temple dedicated to the deity was built on a piece of land at Jalan Rock and was completed in 1991. The statue was then moved there where it remains until today.

From Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Kuching.

While the statue of the deity continued to be venerated and properly housed, the temple on the mountain was left to the elements and had it not been built of belian the whole structure would have collapsed to the ground.

Abi’s story sparked a campaign among the Hindus of Kuching to restore the temple leading to an expedition to its site in 1968. The path built during the Brookes leading to the plantation was cleared and it turned out to be a very well built small road meandering up a gentle slope.

Although the walk up to the temple is three kilometers up hill all the way, you do not have to be an Olympian to get there as the path is wide and well constructed and the gradient is gentle.

From Sri Maha Mariamman

From then on work on the renovation of the temple under the supervision of Lechamanan Ragua who is also known as R.L. Jimmy began in earnest and there were many tales of strange happenings encountered by visitors and workers involved in the repair of the temple.

Lechamanan recounted how while at work at the temple one day in 1970 he saw a cobra on the roof. Taking a stick he tried to shoo the snake away but was stopped by elders present there. The snake left after the elders entered the temple and said a few prayers.

Later the imprint of a cobra appeared on Lechamanan’s forehead and only disappeared one month later after he sought forgiveness for his impulsive act. It is believed that the snake is the guardian of the temple.

There was another story about a man who tried to take a way the doors of the temple and was blocked by the snake on his way up. He managed to get past the serpent and reached the temple where he dismantle the doors and took it down.

On the way back he was chased by the same snake and had to leave the doors behind as he fled down the mountain. The doors were never recovered but that man fell ill and went berserk when he reached home. He was only cured after he was brought up the mountain and prayers were said over him ridding him of the spirit that possessed him.

From Sri Maha Mariamman

On Dec 4, 1970 the repair works were completed and a poojai (high mass) attended by about 500 people were held to mark its restoration. Since then devotees regularly offered prayers there and it was put under the care and administration of the Kuching Hindu Temple Association Ban Hock Road.

Today the temple is again going through another major restoration and this time it is more than just repairing and repainting. The Mount Matang Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Renovation Committee under the chairmanship of Sasindran Nair is rebuilding the temple on its original site and except for minor alterations of the inner sanctum, follow its exact design.

From Sri Maha Mariamman

Like the workers of the plantation, the building committee is using belian wood from the mountain to build the temple. The Sarawak Forestry Department granted them permission to cut down five belian trees from the slope for the timber.

“This temple is the only Sri Maha Mariamman temple in the world made of timber and we want to keep that record,” said Sasindran.

Vice chairman T. Kaliani @T. Morgan who was with Sasindran inspecting the construction when I visited the site recently added, “It is difficult and expensive to bring the building materials up the mountain. We are thankful to those who contributed to the cost of the restoration so far but we need more fund to complete the job. We hope more people would come forward to help us restore the temple.”

Surprisingly many of those who prayed at the temple are Chinese who helped contribute to its upkeep through their donations. “Our appeal goes out to devotees and well wishers of other races. We are grateful to Chinese worshippers who come here to pray for their contribution and we also appeal to them to help us restore this temple.”

Morgan added the committee had engaged the services of craftsmen from India to carve the belian posts and plaster other decorations of the temple. They are expected to start work next month.

Those who wish to donate to the restoration of the ‘lost’ temple of Sri Maha Mariamman can contact Sasindran at 019-888 1837 or Morgan at 019-816 8017 for more information."

Source : The Borneo Post - Francis Chan 2007

Places of Worship & Devotion In Sarawak

Fo Pao Kung, Batu Kawa

2010-11-07T22:39:00.003+08:00

One of the many traditional Chinese temples in Batu Kawa.

Places of Worship & Devotion

Lu Sze Tao Cultural Chamber, Thian Eng Si Sibu

Tann Hua Foo, Sibu

Tze Yin Khor, Sebuyau

Sri Maha Marimamman - A Meaningful Restoration

Sri Maha Marimamman - The Revival Of The Lost Temple

Sri Maha Mariamman - The Lost Temple of Matang

Fo Pao Kung, Batu Kawa

Woon Hua Kung, Batu Kawa

Si Won Yea, Paku - Facelift 2010

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Kuching

Great Hero Jeweled Chamber, Thian Eng Si, Sibu - Part 3

Heavenly God Chamber, Thian Eng Si, Sibu - Part 2

Ik Lung San Thian Eng Si, Sibu - Part 1

Lu Pin Jin, Sarikei

Fo Fa Ling Xian Zong Meditation Society, Tmn Hui Sing

The Guan Gong At The Doorway, Debak.

Tua Pek Kong, Mukah

Bong Low Sian Tsze, Lundu

Tua Pek Kong Lundu & the Rafflesia

Tua Pek Kong Temple On A Slope

The New 2009 Tai Pak Kung, Serian

The 'Rain Tree' of the Sibu Tua Pek Kong

Hock Teck Temple, Niah

Nam Hua Chern Teck Kung 2009

Bong Low Sian Tsze - 2008 Chap Goh Mei

Tua Pek Kong, Buntal 2009, new temple

Rajah Charles Brooke & the Temple

Kuan Yin Tang, Bintulu

Hock Teck Tsyr, Tatau

Stone God, Bintulu / Sibu

Chu Sze Kung, Tabuan Laru, Kuching

Hock Teck Tsyr, Bintulu

Ik Lung San Thian Ang Si, Oya - New Temple

The Butcher Who Turned God

Tua Pek Kong, Miri - 15th Day Lunar Calendar 2008

Lian Hua San - San Ching Pantheon, Miri

Tze Yin Khor, Lubok Antu – The Japanese Occupation 1941

Tze Yin Khor, Sri Aman – The History & The Live Crab Feng Shui

Ching San Yen – Her Feng Shui & the City of Kuching

Tua Pek Kong - When is thy birthday?

Shang Ti Temple, Carpenter Street, Kuching

Kuching Wat Chao Kun Foo, Jalan Uplands

Thian Chun Tien, Senadin

Nam Hua Chern Teck Kung, Matang - Dragons Installation

Places of worship, Betong area

Marup Gold Mine, Engkilili

Mt Hosanna Chapel, Sri Aman

The Bau Chinese Insurgence 1857

Eng Ann Teng, Sibu

Tua Pek Kong, Marudi

Nam Hua Chern Teck Kung, Matang

Leang Shen Temple, Spaoh

Catholic Memorial & Pilgrimage Centre, Singai

Tua Pek Kong, Miri

Hong San Si, Kuching – the legend of the Host Deity

Tua Pek Kong Kuching - the Feng Shui Legend

Tua Pek Kong Temple, Kuching

Introduction

Tian Hou Gong, Bintawa

Hock Teck Tsyr, Limbang