Patient wait: Devotees gathering at Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple in Klang during its consecration ceremony yesterday.
KLANG: After eight years of major upgrading works, the iconic Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple has reopened its doors to the public.
The cost of the renovation was about RM10mil. To mark the special occasion, a grand kumbhabishegam (consecration ceremony) was held there.
Thousands of devotees and visitors congregated at the site which also saw a portion of the Persiaran Raja Muda Musa being closed off.
The kumbhabishegam ritual is important for a new Hindu temple and is done every 12 years. In the case of Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, it marks its grand opening again.
The temple’s priest led the prayer ceremony which saw a helicopter sprinkling holy water in the air, much to the delight of the boisterous crowd.
The temple, which was built in 1890, is said to be the only one in Malaysia made of granite.
It is one of the oldest Vaishnavite houses of worship in South-East Asia and also one of the very few temples outside India to have a separate sanctum for Lord Shaniswara.
Self-employed B. Sathasivam was among one of the many devotees who attended the symbolic consecration ceremony.
Yesterday was also his 56th birthday. He arrived with his wife and daughter at about 9am but by then, the crowd was already swelling.
“When I got to know of the kumbhabishegam, I knew I wouldn’t want to miss it.
“It feels really good and spiritually refreshing to be able to witness this significant event on my birthday,” he said.
Sathasivam said due to the large crowd, they could only watch the ceremony from the side of the road.
“I plan to return in the evening to pray and seek blessings for my family,” he said.