Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Sungai Petani (Kedah)

This vibrant temple started with modest beginnings, as a shrine in the 1960’s. In his teenage years, Mr.Vello (temple chairman) began his day by praying at the shrine. He devoted himself to Lord Vinayagar, and passed his days by taking care of the shrine. As all mortals undergo a bad phase in their life, and so did Vello. Due to unfortunate circumstances, he was arrested by the police. He was utterly miserable for being separated from his family and his beloved Vinayagar. Although in prison, Vello kept himself busy by learning the Vedas, puja and yoga. After several months, Vello had a sacred dream. Lord Ganesha appeared in his dream, glowing in luminous white. Lord Ganesha advised him to purchase a single piece of land and produce the title in court. The following day, Vello requested his wife to purchase a land, and bring the title for his court proceeding. On the first day of his trial, he was allowed to go on bail using the land title. Vello was overjoyed, and immediately ran to his beloved Vinayagar to get blessings. As he stood before his ishta deivam, tears trickled down his face. Vello was later acquitted from the police investigation due to the grace of Lord Vinayagar.

In 1971, Mr.Vello had his second mystical vision. In his dream, he saw 12 bhutagana’s guarding the shrine and Goddess Laxmi with her palms showering gold coins. When he woke up, Vello immediately started making plans to construct a new temple to replace the shrine. This temple included 16 forms of Lord Ganesha, and was built to accommodate the increasing number of Hindu devotees. After several years, a Chinese businessman approached Vello to donate a huge teakwood elephant carving. Apparently, the businessman could not sleep at night, as he kept hearing the thunderous footsteps of an upset elephant. Now the teakwood elephant has become an attraction at this temple. The other attraction at this temple is Malaysia’s biggest silver chariot that leads an annual procession when celebrating Lord Vinayagar’s birthday, Vinayagar Chathurti. It weights 5 tonnes and was meticulously crafted with teakwood from South India and silver that was exported from China, Japan, Thailand and India.
Adress: Jln Hospital, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah. Tel: 04-4216892