| CAVE TEMPLES IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA |
|
Malaysia is a multi racial country, the three main races being Malay, Chinese and Indian. Although Islam is the official religion, other races are allowed to practise their religions. This is reflected in the number of cave temples in Malaysia.
For centuries, caves - especially in southeast Asia - have been used by Hindus and Buddhists as places of worship, for meditation, for retreat. Professor Joseph Hobbs wrote (2005) "arguably, the most diverse and vibrant ritual uses of caves anywhere in the world today is the 200 kilometer stretch of Peninsular Malaysia between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh". I would actually narrow this down to "the 40 km stretch running north and south of Ipoh". The Ipoh area in Perak has the highest concentration of cave temples in Malaysia.
However the most famous cave temple in Malaysia is the Batu Caves complex. There are a series of Hindu temples on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
SELANGOR
BATU CAVES
Batu Caves steps |
Art Gallery Cave |
Cathedral Cave |
Batu Caves is located about 12 km north of Kuala Lumpur. It is a limestone hill penetrated by caves. The nearby village is also called Batu Caves and the Sungai (river) Batu flows outside the hill.
There are a series of Hindu temple caves, the most famous being the Temple or Cathedral Cave where the annual Thaipusam festival is held. The first temple, the Sri Subramaniam Swamy was established in 1891, and is dedicated to Lord Muragan, also known as Subramaniam. A flight of 272 steps lead up to the cave. The cave is one vast chamber and goes through to a huge skylight at the far side. The first Thaipusam was held in 1892, and today attracts some 800,000 people. It is a festival of penance for Hindu devotess, who carry kavadis and put spears though their cheeks and tongue, and hooks in their back. It is a combination of devout fervour, supreme sacrifice and thanks-giving. It is held annually on the night of the full moon during the tenth Hindu month of Thai, which falls between January 14th and February 14th.
Various other caves in the hill have been established as temples. ART GALLERY CAVE and SMALL DARK CAVE are located behind the pond at the foot of the stairs. There is RM1 entrance fee and you cross the pond on a walkway. The caves are packed full of Hindu statues and paintings. The latest attraction is packaged as Cave Villa , see also archive news
Near the tall white statue of Hanuman the monkey god, is Lower Ganesh Cave, although this is currently closed.
East of the main temple complex is the small Ayapam Temple and Gua Sitanggan.
Sai Baba, Perak |
PERAK
There are many cave temples in around the city of Ipoh in the Kinta Valley. The two temples mentioned in all the guide books are Sam Poh Tong and the Perak Cave Temple. There are more than 40 additional temples, so only the more important ones will be mentioned here.
Going from south to north :
GUNUNG LANNO
There is one Indian temple, the SRI SIVA SUBRAMANIUM. The neighbouring Chinese temple, KONG FOOK NGAM was established in 1884. In recent years the caretaker has been digging out the cave sediments to extend the cave, following instructions given to him by a goddess in a dream. RM2 entry to the extended section. Nearby a Thai monk lives in a house accessed through a cave tunnel, and devotees are allowed to visit on a Sunday. Further along the hill a Thai nun has been digging out a cave to establish a small temple, lit by candles.
Kong Fook Ngam |
Kong Fook Ngam |
Kwan Ying Tong |
GUNUNG RAPAT
This hill has the highest number of cave temples.
SAM POH TONG is the most famous. There is a small pond full of turtles which people feed and an ornamental rock garden. At the back is a crematorium and columbarium. This temple is particuarly busy during the time of the Chinese All Souls festival. The neighbouring NAM THEAN TONG was estabished in 1867. A series of steps leads up to the upper chambers. LING SENG TONG is next door and is a small chamber filled with black smoke from the offerings. KEK LOOK TONG is one of the newest and most opulent of the Rapat temples. It consists of one large chamber which runs through the hill. There are large gold statues of Buddha and the walls are covered with marble tiles. KWAN YIN TONG is a smaller temple alongside the main road. There are numerous smaller temples on this hill, both Buddhist, Chinese and Thai.
North of Ipoh
GUNUNG CHEROH
2 or 3 small Chinese temples, and one Indian temple where the annual Thaipusam festival is held.
Behind the new "Lost World - Sunway City" complex is the SAI BABA temple, which is only open on Sundays. Dedicated to Sai Baba, it also houses statues from the Buddhist, Taoist and Catholic faiths.
LOONG TOW NGAM is the oldest temple in Perak, established in 1854. The remains of an old wooden house can be seen clinging to the cliff face.
PERAK CAVE TEMPLE is an important temple, and one of the most famous, established in 1926. Inside are a couple of large chambers full of statues and paintings, and stairs lead up to the top of the hill, where small pavilions have been constructed. There is also a crematorium and columbarium.
TUNG WAH TEMPLE on Gunung Layang Layang is reached by a flight of steps. The main chamber is filled with an altar and many statues. A small narrow staircase leads to the top of the hill used by monks for meditation.
Kek Look Tong |
Kek Look Tong garden |
incense coil |
Ling Sen Tong |
Ling Seng Tong |
Perak Tong |
Sam Poh Tong |
Sam Poh Tong |
Sam Poh Tong |
PAHANG
GUA CHARAS
Located off the road to Sungai Lembing, west of Kuantan. The cave is about 80m above ground level, reached by steep steps. Inside is a huge chamber, towards the rear is a statue of a reclining Buddha. The cave is also an archaeological site. There is a small entrance fee, and torches can be rented from the monks.
There are more than 50 cave temples in the peninsula. There are numerous minor caves around the country which house small shrines and temples. For further details see the book Caves and Karst of Peninsular Malaysia
Nam Thean Tong, Perak |
© Liz Price 2007
|
Nam Thean Tong, Perak |
|
