Sri Maha Marimamman - The Revival Of The Lost Temple
Extracts from The New Straits Times...
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.
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.
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.
"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
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.
"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.
"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
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