Sri Kandaswamy Kovil, Brickfields (Kuala Lumpur)

Sri Saktivel Peruman is the ‘Vel’ (divine javelin) and the astral embodiment of Lord Muruga, which resides at his spiritual palace, Sri Kandaswamy Temple. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami had stated that this potent ‘Vel’ is the eyes and ears of Lord Muruga from the heavens above. The ‘Vel’ oversees the current affairs of the temple’s devotees and aids when necessary. This spiritual legacy was initiated in the year 1902, when the Ceylonese Tamil community of Brickfields decided to establish their orthodox style of worship in Malaysia. A community elder received a vision of a temple located at the end of Scott Road. Soon after, a ‘Vel’ was installed by an eminent Saivite of the Ceylonese Tamil community at the chosen site, and subsequently a temple was built. Prior to the installment, the holy 'Vel' was blessed at Lord Muruga's 'Arupadai Veedu' (6 fortress of Lord Muruga). The gathering of devotees ensures the ceaseless prayers at this sanctified holy place.

The devotees at this temple were so staunch in their belief towards Lord Muruga, that the daily temple rituals were observed during the advent of the Japanese invasion of Malaya (1942-1945). It was during this tumultuous era that the Chief Priest Somaskanda Kurukkal conducted the annual ‘Kanda Shasti’ festival. Miraculously, he lifted and carried the 500kg ‘Arumukham’ statue on his back during the pinnacle of ‘Soora Samharam’ (slaying of demon). Till today, many miracles take place at this auspicious temple, if Lord Kandaswamy is approached with devotion and sincerity. The current Chief Priest of the temple has been childless for many years. Many doctors had advised that it was impossible for him to have children. He ardently prayed to Lord Muruga for a miracle, and he was immediately blessed with a son.

This immensely beautiful temple has been turned into an architectural delight. The lotus pond elegantly infuses spiritual vibrancy into the atmosphere, together with peacocks dancing around the courtyard of the temple. The golden ‘kalasam’ (dome) and the awe inspiring ‘gopuram’ is indeed fit to be Lord Muruga’s sacred castle.
Address: 3, Lorong Scott, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-22742987

Sri Nageswary Amman Temple, Bangsar (Kuala Lumpur)

This mesmerising spiritual haven is the stronghold of Goddess Nageswary Amman. In 1945, a snake mound was identified by a ‘Pambatti Siddhar’ (snake siddha) as the abode of Goddess Nageswary Amman. Many devotees started flocking to this spiritual stronghold, and praying to Goddess Nageswary. This site was destined for the construction of a railway track and therefore had to be relocated. As the shrine relocated, the Goddess Nageswary became upset over this intrusion. Suddenly, the construction project stalled as the tractors repeatedly malfunctioned. Also many of the workers of the construction experienced nightmarish dreams, inexplicable illnesses and freak accidents. Those affected conducted prayers to appease Goddess Nageswary. Leading to the end of the ceremony, a women devotee by the name of Kaliamma went into a trance. The message conveyed was that that Goddess Nageswary Amman would remain at her current shrine, but also attend the evening prayers of the new temple.

The new temple has a large snake mound ideally located in the middle of the temple. In the mound is a pair of beautiful cobras. The snakes are mostly nocturnal and hardly come out when there are gatherings of devotees. Also there is a white cobra that stands guard at this temple. There was an incident whereby a group of men attempted robbing this temple. As they entered the temple, the white cobra stood guard in front of the inner sanctum and hissed angrily. The trespassers fled for their lives, and subsequently could not bodily function appropriately. The wife’s of these afflicted men went to the temple and begged for the forgiveness of Goddess Nageswary Amman. The men immediately recovered, and now faithfully pray at this powerful temple.

This temple is renowned for the ‘puja’ to overcome ‘naga dosham’ (snake curse). Also those undergoing ‘Rahu’ or ‘Kethu’ in their astrological chart participate in this ‘puja’. Devotees come for either the Tuesday or Friday evening 'puja' continuously for 27 weeks. The main ceremony at this temple falls in the month of ‘Adi’, whereby a fire-walking congregation takes place on ‘Adi Puram’. Devotees have to fast for 48 days prior to participating in this spiritually charged festival.
Address:Jln Lengkok Abdullah, Off Jln Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel:03-22820635

Sri Ganesar Court Hill Temple, Pudu (Kuala Lumpur)

This holy site is considered one of the foremost Hindu temples in Malaysia. In 1897, an Indian gardener started a shrine for Lord Ganesha in an orchard of a British official's residence. Wagner Durai, as he was popularly known initially served in Malaya as a senior police official, and later as a lawyer. As the shrine started becoming more popular with its surrounding inhabitants, the Indian gardener decided to install a bell to announce auspicious timings. The sound emitting from the bell annoyed Wagner. He boldly informed his worker to remove the bells, or he would have to demolish the shrine. As soon as he had uttered this sentence, he had become paralysed. Soon after, the gardener had a dream in which Lord Ganesha instructed him to conduct a prayer for Wagner Durai and smear vibuthi (holy ash) onto Wagner's legs and hands. The gardener did as he was instructed, and Wagner soon recovered. Wagner subsequently started praying at this benevolent shrine and contributed towards the construction of the temple.

The temple is built on a sloping ‘moona muchandi’ (3 adjoining corners) thereby making it extremely powerful. Moreover this is the only temple in the world that conducts ‘sankha puja’ (conch shell puja) twice daily throughout the year. This propitious puja was initiated in the year 1939 at this temple. The twisting formation of a ‘sankhu’ enables tirtham (holy scented water) to flow spirally before bathing Lord Ganesha. As the ‘tirtham’ is infused with the chanting of Hindu mantras, together with the hydraulic push through the ‘sankhu’, this facilitates the potency of this ceremony. The conch-shell is said to be the abode of ‘devas’ (celestial beings). Therefore ‘sankha puja’ is considered most auspicious in Hindu rituals, and will promote the health, wealth and happiness of its participants. The glory of this temple is further enhanced by the gold 'garba graham' (entrance)at the main sanctum. Gold has the highest spiritual vibration according to Hindu scriptures, therefore this metal is used to channel 'shakti' (divine energy).

The temple had acquired its name, Court Hill Ganesar as the previous high court was adjacent to the temple. Most lawyers who had represented clients at this court would pray at this temple for a favourable outcome. If the verdict was favourable, the lawyers would contribute towards the upkeep of the temple in gratitude. Also there is a 'vilvam' (bael) tree in the temple itself. The tree has been in the temple since inception and is also a focal point in the temple. Devotees who circumbulate the temple will stroke the bark of the tree, and then proceed to prostrate before Lord Ganesha.

Adress: 9, Jln Pudu Lama, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-20789825