Temple
History
1. Previously known as Arulmigu Sri Maha
Mariamman Temple, Bukit Rotan.
2. Neighbouring towns are:
Batang Berjuntai: 22 km to the North
Klang: 48 km to the South
Kuala Lumpur: 60 km to the East
Kuala Selangor: 10 km to the West
3. Directions to the temple:-
Those travelling along the North-South Highway,
from the north should exit either at the Guthrie Highway immediately after the
Rawang Exit or at the Sungai Buluh Exit.
Follow the road signs to Kuala Selangor. Along the road you will pass a
small town called Ijok. The Temple is
located along the main road of the Bukit Rotan town.
Those travelling along the North-South Highway,
from the south should exit at Sungai Buloh and follow the road signs to Kuala
Selangor. Along the road you will pass a small town called Ijok. The Temple is located approximately 12 kms
from Ijok.
Those travelling along the coastal road from Klang
should take a right turn at Assam Jawa into the road leading to Kuala Lumpur.
The Temple is located approximately 2 kms from Assam Jawa.
Similarly those travelling along the coastal road
from Teluk Intan should take a left turn at Assam Jawa into the road leading to
Kuala Lumpur.
One could also board the bus to Kuala Selangor in
Pudu Raya bus station and alight in front of the temple.
Events
up to 1970:-
While there are no records available to establish
the date of completion of this temple, this temple is estimated to have been
established more than 100 years ago based on the following facts. When our
Chairman, Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara Sivaachaariyaar's father, by the name of
Sri Pagavathiappan, arrived in Bukit Rotan at the age of 17 years in 1912, the
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple was already in existence for many years. Therefore,
it is safe to conclude that the temple has been in existence for more than 100
years.
The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Bukit Rotan was
established jointly by the Bukit Rotan Hindu business community and the Hindu
staff of the local Public Works Department. Among the supporters of the temple
were Sri Jambulingam, Sri Krishnan and Sri Munusamy. In fact, we are proud to
record that their descendants are still involved in the management of the
temple.
1. What
was the Hindu population in Bukit Rotan then?
Since Bukit Rotan is located along the main road,
there was a sizeable Hindu business community.
In addition,Bukit Rotan was the main supply centre for about 20 rubber
estates that were located around it. As we are fully aware, the labour force in
rubber estates then was predominantly Hindu.
2. Where
was the Temple first located?
The Temple was first located in the PWD reserve
adjoining the main road. The first
Temple was a small shed built using mangrove timber and facing the East. The
first Temple housed a small, 1 foot tall statue of Mother Maha Mariamman.
3. What
were the daily and annual poojas conducted then?
In the beginning, Sri Pagavathiappan, the father
of our Chairman, Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara Sivaachariyaar, conducted poojas in
this temple on a part time basis. However, from early days on, Chitra Pournami
was celebrated as the Temple's principal annual pooja.
During this festival, Mother Maha Mariamman would
be taken around Bukit Rotan in a horse pulled vaahanam.
The devotees carrying kaavadis for Lord Muruga
would begin their walk to the 2nd Mile Sri Subramaniar Temple from our Maha
Mariamman Temple.
Events
from 1970 to 1990
1. When
was the first Temple renovated?
In 1969 -1970, the existing Temple was renovated
with a single tier tower or gopuram. Subsequently the Temple walls, the Temple
entrance and a hall were constructed.
2. How
were these renovations financed?
These renovations were financed both by public
donations and a government grant.
Kumbaabishegam and Installation of Deities.
The first kumbaabishegam was conducted in 1970,
when in addition to Mother Maha Mariamman, Lord Vinaayagar and Lord Muruga were
also installed in the Temple.
In preparation for the kumbaabishegam, a statue of
Maha Mariamman (the one that is now installed in the temple) was procured from
Tamilnadu, India. However, due to an oversight, that statue was not installed
in the temple. Instead, the old and existing statue of Mother Maha Mariamman
was retained and consecrated again during the kumbaabishegam. Meanwhile, the
new statue was wrapped and stored away. Furthermore, the newly renovated temple
now faced north.
Daily and Annual Poojas
After the kumbaabishegam, daily and annual poojas
were conducted as in the past. The Navaraathri Poojas that were introduced soon
gained popularity. Thousands of devotees used to gather to participate in the
Vijaya Dasami pooja. Weddings and other social activities were also organised
in the new Temple hall.
However, since the daily poojas were not conducted
properly, there were minor problems faced by the temple employees and devotees.
It was to overcome this important flaw that Mother Maha Mariamman decided to
enlist the services of our Sivaachariyaar i.e. Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara
Sivaachaariyaar.
In 1968, after having completed his Senior
Cambridge Examination (the equivalent of the present day SPM examination),
Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara Sivaachaariyaar spent his time in Kuala Lumpur at a
desk job.
One night, Mother Maha Mariamman, in the form of a
little girl, appeared in Sivaachaariyaar's dream and commanded him to leave for
Bukit Rotan. "There is no job for you here. Come to Bukit Rotan
immediately," She commanded.
Immediately, our Shivasri A. P. Muthu Kumara
Sivaachaariyaar packed his meagre belongings and left for Bukit Rotan as
commanded by Mother Maha Mariamman.
In addition to performing the daily poojas in the
temple, Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara Sivaachaariyaar also began to speak to the
devotees present about Hinduism and its practices.
In fact, our Sivaachaariyaar was serving Mother
Maha Mariamman without any payments or fees. One day, our Sivaachaariyaar, came
across the statue of Ambal that was wrapped and stored away. It was then that
the grace of Mother Maha Mariamman engulfed our Sivaachaariyaar. "Amma, I
will not rest until you are properly installed and consecrated," declared
Sivaachaariyaar. It was a promise that he would keep.
In 1974, only 4 years after the first
kumbaabishegam in 1970, our Aiyah installed and consecrated the present representation
of Mother Maha Mariamman in the temple as the Moola Moorthy (principal deity).
It was a success that was attained after many heart rendering struggles.
However, the Temple continued to face the North.
According to the Aagamas, an Ammam temple should face the East and not the
North. As a result, the Temple growth was hindered and many problems cropped up
every now and then.
In due course, Sivaachaariyaar's brother, Sri P.
Thiagaraja joined him in performing poojas in the temple as its achargar. It
was during this time that the Temple adopted the Aadi Pooram as one of its
annual festivals.
Under our Sivaachaariyaar's guidance, the annual
Naavaratri Pooja developed into a 10-day event with homas, special poojas,
recitation of Vedas and the Thirumurai. Today the Navaraatri Pooja has become a
not-to-be-misssed event in Kuala Selangor.
Additionally, in 1991, while the Sri Sooktha
Mahayagam was being conducted, the "Niraipani Katchi" ritual was
conducted in this temple in conjunction with the Aadi Pooram festival, for the
first time in this country.
From
1990 onwards
With the passage of time, defects in the Temple
structure including the sanctum sanctorum became more pronounced. Structural
cracks in the sanctum sanctorum meant that there was water leakage whenever it
rained. It has been more than 12 years since the last kumbaabishegam in 1974.
There was also an urgent need to correct the
Temple front orientation from North to East. To overcome these three pressing
problems, efforts to rebuild the Temple began in earnest.
Our Sivaachaariyaar decided that this divine
effort should begin with a Sri Sooktha Mahayagam. The Sri Sooktha Mahayagam was truly
memorable. It was a great divine event, the likes of which have never before
been witnessed in Malaysia. It was conducted for 48 days with 2 homas daily.
Preparatory work towards the construction of the
new Temple began even before the Sri Sooktha Mahayagam was completed. The
proposal was to construct the new Temple using the RM500,000 that was estimated
to be raised through the Sri Sooktha Mahayagam.
The services of Sirpa Aagama Kalaamani, Sri
Suppiah Stabathi from Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam was retained and plans for the
new Temple were drawn up and submitted to the authorities for approval.
When the plans of the new Temple were placed
before Mahaswamigal Sri Sankarendra Saraswati Swamigal of the Sri Kanchi Peedam
for his blessings, he meditated for awhile and made the following statement:
“There is a tree in front of the temple. There is
also a road in front of the temple. This road will be improved and it will
encroach on the site of the new temple. Therefore the new temple cannot be
built on its present site”.
As predicted by Mahaswamigal, the plans of the new
Temple submitted were rejected by the authorities. The reason given was that
part of the Temple site was required for road extensions.
It was then decided that the new Temple be
constructed on the small hill adjacent to the existing Temple. At the same
time, it was also decided that a majestic temple be constructed according to
our ancient Sirpa Aagamas (architectural scriptures). Undoubtedly it was Mother
Maha Mariamman's wish.
Immediately, efforts were begun in earnest to
acquire that land on the hill from the local authorities. At the same time, new
plans for a grand temple were drawn and duly submitted to the relevant
authorities. The process was labourious, with opposition and obstacles from
various sources which had to be overcome.
Thus in 1999, by the Grace of Mother Maha
Mariamman, the authorities agreed to alienate the land to the Temple. Soon the
new plans that were submitted were also approved with minimum amendments. It
was only after all approvals were received from the relevant government
authorities that the construction works commenced.
The construction of the new Temple was undertaken
as a divine service. The primary objective was that the new Temple must be
constructed by adhering to all the dictates of our scriptures. Anything else
would be a compromise. And Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara Sivaachaariyaar was
determined that there will be no compromises in the construction of the new
Temple.
Unique
Features of Shakti Temple
1. The Sanctum Sanctorum and Tower
To the best of our knowledge, outside India, this
is the only temple that includes such delicate and intricate sculptural works.
The focal point of the temple, the sanctum
sanctorum of Mother Ambal incorporates an extremely sophisticated and ancient
type of sculptural design known as ‘thundu pathirippu pathroba pathram”.
This exceptional methodology has been used in the
past in the construction of the Sri Subramaniyar shrine in Brahadeesawarar
Temple, Tanjore, more popularly known as Tanjai Periya Kovil and the Sri Kumara
Kottam Murugan Temple in Kanchipuram in India.
We believe, that in recent times, no temple has
been constructed, either in India or elsewhere, using this delicate and
painstaking method.
2. Sri Chakra and Navaratnas in the Sanctum
Sanctorum
The sanctum sanctorum and its tower were
constructed in 8 phases. Special poojas
were conducted before the commencement of the construction of the phases. Eight Sri Chakras and high quality navaratnas
were embedded in each of the 8 phases.
Thus a total of 64 Sri Chakras and 64 sets of high quality navaratnas
(the 9 gems) have been embedded in the wall of temple’s sanctum sanctorum.
The wall of Mother Ambal’s sanctum sanctorum too
received special attention. The walls
are 4½ feet thick to render it suitable for the intricate sculptures that
constitute the “thundu pathirippu pathroba pathram” works.
Inside the sanctum sanctorum, behind the statue of
Mother Ambal, 4 pillars have been constructed facing Ambal. These pillars
represent the 4 Vedas – Rik, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana – that form the basis of
Hinduism. This is to remind us that Mother Ambal is indeed the source of these
Vedas.
Since the construction of the structure of the
sanctum sanctorum, a lamp has been kept lighted continuously and daily poojas
are conducted with the recitation of Ambal’s Sahasranaamam i.e Mother Ambal’s
1008 namahs.
3. The Temple Towers
The Temple's entrance tower (Rajagopuram) is 5
tiered and boasts a height of an amazing 80 feet. Meanwhile, the tower
(gopuram) over the sanctum sanctorum is 3 tiered and is 60 feet tall.
Finally, the towers over the Lord Vinayagar and
Lord Murugan sannithis are 2 tiered while the towers over the sannithis of the
other deities including Mother Durga, Mother Laxmi and Mother Saraswathi are
single tiered.
4. The Temple Pillars
In total, there are 96 pillars that support and
adorn the temple structure. These pillars represent the 96 tatvas
(philosophies) that exist in Hinduism. The pillars have been painstakingly
crafted to depict 7 different architectural designs.
The number of pillars in the main hall, also known
as the Gayatri Mandapam total 24 representing the 24 letters that constitute
the Gayatri mantra in Sanskrit.
There are 6 pillars around the sannithi of the
Lord of Dance - Lord Nadarajah, representing the 6 sastras.
5. The Gayatri Mandapam (Hall)
In every temple, the main hall will be a prominent
feature. Most halls are shaped in rectangular formats.
Unlike other temples, the main hall in our temple,
referred to as the Gayatri Mandapam, has a unique shape known as
"sokkttaan patthi".
In addition, there is a dome above the Gayatri
Mandapam called the Gayatri Dome (or Vimaanam).
It is believed that 70,000,000 Veda mantras
constantly echo in our skies. This knowledge was passed down to us by venerable
Rishis who could hear the continuous recitation of these mantras.
The Gayatri Mandapam dome has been constructed to
depict the sky where these mantras are constantly recited. The designs sculpted
in the Gayatri Dome represent the 70,000,000 mantras. Thus, the area where
devotees will stand to worship Mother Ambal will be saturated with divine
vibrations, adding to the sanctity of the environment.
The Gayatri Dome will be held in place by 24
pillars. These 24 pillars represent the
24 sanscrit letters are constitute the Gayatri Mantra. Thus the Gayatri Mandapam with its Gayatri
Dome is unique to this temple alone.
6. The 51 Shaktis
The representations of the 51 Shaktis have been
sculpted along the temple’s internal corridor. These statues all face inwards. These statues represent the 51 peedams of
Shakti worship in the world.
These 51 Shakti peedams are found in regions that
use to constitute ancient India. They are located as follows:
44 in India
3 in Nepal
1 in Pakistan
1 in Bangladesh
1 in Sri Lanka
1 in China
Earth from these 51 Shakti peedams is being
collected and will be placed inside the pedestal where Mother Sri Maha
Mariamman will be installed.
There are 51 Aksharas (alphabets) in Sanskrit.
They are also known as Maathruka Aksharas.
Each Akshara (or alphabet) represents 1 of the 51 Shaktis.
These 51 Shaktis have been installed in the
temple’s inner corridor to continuously bless the devotees who come to worship.
Our temple will be the only place of worship where
these 51 Shaktis have been installed in a single venue.
7. Temple Walls
Saint Thirunaavukkuarasar popularly known as Appar
sang "Kovilluku Karungkalam Kootam Illathu" which means that the
structure that gives beauty to a temple is its walls. That is why, most, if not
all temples, have walls all around. Our temple too has walls on all 4 sides.
The walls are 13 feet high.
Statues of the Ashtadik Paalagars or the Guardian
Deities of the 8 Directions have been installed on the walls at appropriate
locations. In addition, representations of apsaras i.e., divine ladies and
various poses from the Shakti Thaandavam have been alternately embossed all
along the walls.
These representations will help to calm devotees
and help then concentrate on Mother Ambal while they circumbulate the temple
along these walls as a preliminary ritual before performing prayers inside the
temple.
In Malaysia, walls with such divine decorations
are unique to this temple.
8. Temple Steps
There are steps to enter the temple in 10
locations. Of these, 6 sets will feature
the elephant’s head at the side while the other 4 sets will feature the head of
a yaali i.e. a mythical animal.
In addition, ramps have also been installed in 2
places to assist the handicap to also enter the temple on their own to perform
their prayers. This temple is thus
handicap friendly.
These 10 sets of steps are all made of granite and
sculpted in Tamilnadu, India.
9. Navagraha Shrine
The pedestal of the Navagraha shrine in our temple
is shaped like a lotus flower. It is carved out of granite and imported from
India.
The navagrahas installed here are special. Each of the navagrahas will be seated on His
vehicle and will be accompanied by His Shakti.
They will indeed be a wonderful sight.
10. Temple Corridors
A temple without corridors is not a complete
temple. Our temple will have 3
corridors.
The 1st corridor will be around the sanctum
sanctorum and the Gayatri Mandapam. The
2nd corridor is where the various other deities are installed. These 2 corridors are located inside the
temple. The 3rd corridor is the one that
runs around the whole temple and is located on the outside of the temple.
Before commencing his or her prayers, a devotee
will walk along these 3 corridors before entering the Gayatri Mandapam and
standing before Mother Ambal.
11. Ashtabandhanam and Svarnabandahanam
In temples, the statue of a deity will be attached
to its pedestal using a type of paste made of 8 types of herbs (ashta means 8
in Sanskrit). This paste is called
ashtabandhanam. This material is usually
used during most if not all maha kumbabishegam (consecration) ceremonies.
Likewise in our temple, deities will be mounted
onto their pedestals using the ashtabandhanam technique. However, our Moola
Moorthy (main deity) will be installed on Her pedestal using the rare
svarnabandhanam technique. In this case,pure gold will be melted and poured all
around the foot of the statue of the deity placed upon the pedestal.
Using svarnabandhanam to fix the statue to the
pedestal is considered extremely auspicious. In addition, by using the
svarnabandhanam technique, there will be no need to remove the Moola Moorthy
during the Balastabanam ceremony at subsequent kumbaabishegams.
To the best of our knowledge, no other temple in
Malaysia or our neighbouring countries has utilised svarnabandhanam to seal the
statues to their granite pedestals. This temple then will be the first to use
svarnambandhanam.
12. The Bell Tower
The temple bell is an inalienable component of a
temple. It is usually located in the
Eesana (northeast) corner of the temple.
The bell will usually be hung on a beam mounted on 2 pillars. Our bell tower will be similarly located in
the northeast of the temple and will be mounted on a single pillar. The pillar will be 15 feet high. A brass bell weighing 150 kilos will be hung
from the top of the pillar.
The top of the pillar will have 4 branches that
will branch out in the 4 directions. On
these 4 branches will be hung 4 separate bells made of 4 different materials
such as brass, silver, copper and granite.
13. Poojas and other Ceremonies Conducted in
Conformity with our ancient’s scriptures
As required by the Kaamika Aagama and the Kasyapa
Sipa Sastras, the foundation laying ceremony known as Silaastabanam must be
conducted only after performing the Ganapathy homam, the Navagraha homam, the
Prevesha Bali pooja, the Vaastu Santhi pooja, the Bhugarshanam, the Govaasam,
the Kadakkaal Iduthal and the Silaasana ceremony.
Ganapathy
Homam
The Ganapathy Homam is conducted to seek the
blessings and grace from Lord Ganapathy, the remover of obstacles.
Navagraha
Homam
The Navagraha Homam is conducted to pacify and
gratify the Navagrahas.
Prevesha
Bali Pooja
The Prevesha Bali Pooja is conducted to firstly
appease the spirits and beings already resident on the site and to invite and
install the various Devas to reside on the plot of land as the Astha Dik
Baalagars.
Vaastu
Santhi Pooja
The Vaastu Santhi Pooja is conducted to appease
and court Lord Vaastu so that He is favourably disposed towards the project.
Bhugarshanam
Ceremony
According to Kaamiga Aagama, the Bhugarshanam
Ceremony is necessary as this ritual will invoke the blessings of both Mother
Bumadevi and Lord Dharma. Lord Dharma was represented in this ceremony by two
strapping bulls, suitably dressed, decorated and garlanded, who proceeded to
plough the land using a 1 kg gold plated plow. Subsequently, navathaniam
cereals were sowed into the ploughed land.
Govaasam
Ceremony
The Govaasam ceremony involves allowing cattle to
contently graze at the sprouted navathaniam cereals and is conducted to invoke
the blessings of Mother Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Auspiciousness.
Kadakkaal
Iduthal Ceremony
The Kadakkaal Iduthal Ceremony is the ground
breaking ceremony and is a key phase in the process of constructing a temple.
Silaasana
Pooja
The Silaasana Pooja is the foundation laying
ceremony. There must be a bridge or
connection between the foundation and the actual building. Therefore, the foundation laying ceremony is
only carried out after the piles have been driven in.
Accordingly, all these Poojas and other ceremonies
were duly conducted before the foundation stone was laid.
14. Statues installed in the temple
The Bukit Rotan Maha Mariamman Temple is a Shakti
temple. Mother Shakti is the principal
deity here. Therefore, only the deities
who should be installed in such a temple as provided in our ancient scriptures
are installed in this temple.
In addition all deities installed in this temple
will be in the company of their respective Shaktis.
The following deities are installed in this
temple:-
Mother Sri Maha Mariamman (Principal Deity)
Lord Vinayagar as Laxmi Ganapathy accompanied with
Mother Laxmi
Lord Muruga with Mother Valli and Mother Devanai
Mother Durga, Mother Laxmi and Mother Saraswathi
Lord Nadarajah with Mother Sivagami
Lord Bhairavar with Mother Swarnaambiga
Navagrahas with their respective Shaktis
Lord Surya with Mother Usha and Mother Prathusha
Lord Chandra with Mother Kirtiga and Mother Rohini
Lord Angaragan with Mother Shakti Devi
Lord Butha with Mother Nyana Devi
Lord Guru with Mother Dhara Devi
Lord Sukra with Mother Sringgini Devi
Lord Lord Saneeswara with Mother Mother Jeshta
Devi
Lord Raagu with Mother Simhi Devi
Lord Kethu with Mokt
